White grape variety cultivated in Apulia

Greco Bianco b.

The Greco Bianco b.grape variety, a white-fruited wine grape, has Calabrian origins; it has been successfully tested in Apulia and is suitable throughout Apulia.

Origin and Historical Outline

The white grape variety Greco Bianco b. has been cultivated for a long time in Calabria, especially in the province of Cosenza.
In the 1881 issue of the Ministry of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce, it is reported as “Greek White”. Ampelographic, ampelometric and cultural observations, completed by DNA investigations, have shown that this is a completely different grape variety from the Greco di Tufo or Greco b., Greco di Gerace and Greco di Cirò. After appropriate experimental observations conducted in various territories of the region, the vine Greco Bianco b. has come and began to spread in Apulia.

Synonyms

Greca, Greco di Rogliano, Greco di Cosenza.

Main Ampelographic Features

Shoot tip: fluffy, open or fan-shaped, with a light anthocyanic pigmentation along the edge.

Leaf: medium, circular, trilobate or lobeless. Open lyre or V-shaped petiole sinus.

Bunch: medium-large, conical, winged, medium dense or loose.

Berry: medium-small, spheroidal, with soft, fairly pruinose and thin yellow-green skin, sometimes verging on amber on the side exposed to the sun.

Phenology

Time of bud burst: intermediate-late

Flowering time: intermediate

Veraison: intermediate-late

Ripening: intermediate-late

Agronomic and Cultural Characteristics

Vigour: medium

Average bunch weight: 370 g (min 240 g – max 510 g)

Average berry weight: 1.6 g (min 1.4 g – max 1.8 g)

Number of seeds per berry: 1 3

Average rachis weight: 18 g

Fertility of buds: 1 – 2

Potential fertility: 1.4

Actual fertility: 1.1

Environmental and Cultural Requirements

Good productivity; yields white grapes with interesting quality features for wine production, especially when there is a good balance between reproductive and vegetative growth.

Chemical Features of the Wine

Alcoholic content: 11 – 13 % by vol.

pH: 3.1 – 3.4

Total acidity: 7.5 – 10 g/l

Oenological Use and Sensorial Properties of the Wine

Very interesting vine because of its quality oenological production.

In Calabria, it is used in grape blends for the production of several wines: “Esaro” white and red wines, “Scavigna bianco”, “Cabrì”, “Verbicaro” red and white wines.

Economic Significance and Geographic Distribution

This wine was successfully tested in Apulia. It is registered among the varieties suited to being grown in all the Apulian provinces.

Author and Source

Antonacci Donato
antonacci.dona@gmail.com

The data sheet of the Greco Bianco 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.