Bianco d'Alessano
An Italian white grape also grown in Australia.
Bianco d'Alessano is a white grape from Italy’s Apulia region, often blended with Verdeca. It also grows in Australia’s Riverland, where its varietal wines have won awards as an “Alternative Variety.” Historically, the grape was used to make vermouth.
Quick Facts
- Australian wine region
- Riverland at Loxton
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- Ampelographers believe Bianco d'Alessano is native to southern Italy, though its exact origin is unknown.
- In 2008, DNA analysis showed that the Iuvarello grape of Calabria is actually Bianco d'Alessano.
- The grape has been known under synonyms including Acchiappapalmento, Bianco di Latiano, and Verdurino.
Wine regions
Bianco d'Alessano is primarily grown in Italy, where 960 hectares were under cultivation in 2000. The grape is almost exclusively found in Apulia, especially around the Murgia area in Taranto province. There, winemakers typically blend it with Verdeca for DOC wines from Gravina, Lizzano, Locorotondo, Martina Franca, and Ostuni. Outside Italy, a small amount grows in Australia’s Riverland region near Loxton. Despite the area’s very warm continental climate, the grape keeps high acidity even with late harvests. By 2021, about two hectares were planted in Australia, where it is sometimes bottled as a single varietal and has earned awards as an alternative variety.
More in White Wine Grape Varieties from Italy
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