A white wine grape variety grown in Apulia

Vermentino b.

Vermentino b. is a vine present in other regions of Italy and also in Apulia, where it is suitable for cultivation throughout the region.

Origin and Historical Outline

The most accredited hypothesis about its origin is that the white wine grape variety Vermentino b. originated in Spain and from there was introduced first to Corsica (around 1300) and then, between the 14th and 18th centuries, to Liguria. It then reached Apulia.

Synonyms

Favorita, Formentino, Pigato, Piccabon, Verlantin, Vermentino bianco (in Italy), Malvasia grossa, Malvoisie à gros grains, Malvasie précoce d’Espagne (in France).

Shoot tip: expanded, fluffy, whitish with carmine edge.

Leaf: medium-large size, pentagonal, heptalobatepentalobate. U or closed lyre-shaped petiole sinus, sometimes with slightly overlapping lobes and often with 1-2 teeth along the edge of the petiole sinus. Closed lyre-shaped upper lateral sinuses, also with overlapping lobes; less marked, U or Vshaped lower lateral sinuses.

Bunch: medium or medium-large, cylindrical or pyramid-shaped, medium loose.

Berry: medium, spheroidal; pruinose, mediumcompact, yellow-greenish skin, turning amber-yellow if exposed to the sun.

Phenology

Time of bud burst: intermediate-early

Flowering time: intermediate

Veraison: intermediate

Ripening: intermediate

Agronomic and Cultural Characteristics

Vigour: medium

Average bunch weight: 230 g (min 180 g – max 300 g)

Average berry weight: 2.4 g (min 2.2 g – max 2.7 g)

Number of seeds per berry: 2 3

Average rachis weight: 13 g

Fertility of buds: 2 – 1

Potential fertility: 1.6

Actual fertility: 1.3

Environmental and Cultural Requirements

Prefers dry, hilly soils with a good exposure to the sun, adapts also to coastal and flat regions; in the latter case, it prefers higher training. Good and consistent production.

Chemical Features of the Wine

Alcoholic content: 10 – 14 % by vol.

pH: 3.2 – 3.4

Total acidity: 4.5 – 7.5 g/l

Oenological Use and Sensorial Properties of the Wine

The grapes of the Vermentino b. vine are mainly used for vinification. In the past it was sometimes also used as a table grape. It can be made into wine as a single variety, but it usually enters into blends with other white grapes, giving rise to dry wine and even sweet wine. It is also used for the preparation of spumante charmat method wine.

The wine has a straw-yellow colour with greenish reflections, a delicate and soft perfume, a dry and slightly bitterish taste that improves with ageing in the bottle. As a liqueur or raisin wine it expresses hints of honey.

Economic Significance and Geographic Distribution

The Vermentino b. vine is widespread and cultivated in Liguria, Tuscany and Sardinia, where it is included in numerous PDO wine production regulations. The vine is present in Apulia and is registered among the varieties suitable for cultivation throughout the region.

Author and Source

Antonacci Donato
antonacci.dona@gmail.com

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