Shoot tip: expanded, velvety, pale yellow with carmine shades.

Leaf: medium-large, circular, trilobate or lobeless. Open U-shaped petiole sinus. V-shaped upper lateral sinuses. Smooth blade with cone-shaped lobe folds. Downy bottom side.

Bunch: medium-small, plain, rarely composite, between fairy dense to fairly loose.

Berry: medium, sub-spheroidal. Fairly thick, pruinose, compact skin. Pale green epidermis. Fairly crisp, juicy flesh, with a slightly acid taste, turning sweet at a late ripening stage, slightly aromatic.

Time of bud burst: early-intermediate

Flowering time: intermediate-early

Veraison: intermediate

Ripening: intermediate

Vigour: good

Average bunch weight: 260 g (min 110 g – max 420 g)

Average berry weight: 2.6 g (min 2.1 g – max 3.3 g)

Number of seeds per berry: 2 3

Average rachis weight: 13 g

Fertility of buds: 1 – 2

Potential fertility: 1.5

Actual fertility: 1.2

Consistent and abundant yield, prefers fertile soil not exposed to frost.

Alcoholic content: 10.5 – 12 % by vol.

pH: 3.25 – 3.45

Total acidity: 4.5 – 6.5 g/l

The Francavilla b. vine is grown in the province of Brindisi, especially in the hill municipalities, where it is gradually losing importance. In Apulia, it is used for the production of Ostuni wine QWpsr, in blends with Verdeca, Bianco d’Alessano and Impigno. If the grapes of the Francavilla vine are vinified as a single-variety wine, a good white wine for meals with a low alcohol content is obtained.

The Francavilla b. is present in Apulia, used for the production of white wine especially in the hilly areas of Brindisi. It is registered among the varieties suitable for cultivation in the Salento-Arco-Jonico-Salentino production area.

Antonacci Donato
antonacci.dona@gmail.com

The data sheet of the Francavilla b., revised and updated, is extracted from: Antonacci Donato (2006). Viti di Puglia, Adda publisher. Its use is granted by the author citing the source.