Bombino bianco

Did You Know?

• The name Bombino means 'small bomb' in Italian, likely referring to the circular shape of the grape clusters.
• Bombino bianco is a late-ripening variety with good resistance to powdery mildew, downy mildew, and botrytis bunch rot.

Relationship to other grapes

For many years Bombino bianco and Bombino nero were thought to be color mutations of the same variety, similar to Pinot noir and Grenache with their white counterparts. DNA analysis in the early 21st century showed that while the two grapes are closely related, they are distinct varieties. Bombino bianco was long considered identical to Trebbiano d'Abruzzo, but since 1994 they have been listed as separate varieties in the Italian grape register and the Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOC regulations. DNA analysis has confirmed that Bombino bianco is not related to Verdicchio, but is identical to the Ottonese grape of Lazio. It is also likely one of the parent varieties of Impigno and Moscatello Selvatico.

Wine regions

In 2000, nearly 3,000 ha of Bombino bianco were planted in Italy, mostly in southern Italy, particularly the Bari, Lecce and Foggia provinces of Apulia. Outside Apulia, it is found in Marche, Molise, Lazio (where it is called Ottonese, especially in Frosinone), and Emilia-Romagna, where it is the principal variety in Pagadebit di Romagna DOC. In Abruzzo, it is historically associated with Trebbiano d'Abruzzo and is often included in the white DOC of that name. Bombino bianco is permitted in many DOCs, including Biferno, Pentro di Isernia, Bianco Capena, Cerveteri, Cesanese di Olevano Romano, Frascati, Marino, Genazzano, Colli Romagna Centrale, Pagadebit di Romagna, Gravina, Leverano, Martina Franca, Locorotondo, Cacc'e mmitte di Lucera, and San Severo. Outside Italy, it is imported into other EU countries for bulk table wines and into Germany for inexpensive sparkling Sekt, often blended with Morio Muskat. In Abruzzo, the Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOC covers virtually the entire region and permits both Bombino bianco and Trebbiano Toscano to make up at least 85% of the blend.

Styles

Bombino bianco tends to produce relatively neutral wines that are not very aromatic, though some examples show citrus, herbaceous notes, or minerality. It is most often used as a blending variety in both red and white wines, which can be made in a range of sweetness levels. Some DOCs produce semi-sparkling frizzante and fully sparkling spumante styles. Wine writers describe the wines as light-bodied with soft fruit flavors and notes of wild flowers and apples. Blends with a high proportion of Bombino bianco tend to have milder fruit flavors and a softer palate. The grape is also used to make raisins and vermouth.

Synonyms

Bombino bianco has been known under many synonyms, including Abondante, Bambino, Bambino Peloso Gentile, Bammino, Banjac, Bilana, Bobbino, Bommino, Bonvino, Bonvino bianco, Buon Vino, Buonvino bianco, Butta Palmento, Butta Pezzente, Buttspezzante, Calatammurro, Calpolese, Camblese, Campanile, Campolese, Campolese Camplese, Campolese Chiuso, Campolese Scinciaro, Campolese Sciniato, Carapa, Castella, Cococciola, Cola Tamburo, Colatammurro, Debit, Debit Veliki, Donnee, Marese, Ottenese, Ottonese, Pagadebiti, Poulzhinatz, Pulizanac, Puljizanac, Ribola, Ripona, Scacciadebiti, Schiacciadebiti, Straccia Cambiale, Strappa Cambiale, Tivolese bianco, Trebbiano Abruzzese, Trebbiano Bianco di Chieti, Trebbiano Campolese, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo, Trebbiano d'Ora, Trebbiano d'Oro, Trebbiano di Abruzzo, Trebbiano di Avezzano, Trebbiano di Macerata, Trebbiano di Teramo, Trebbiano Dorato di Teramo, Trivolese, Uva Castellana, Uva da un Osso, Uva Fermana, Uva Romana, and Zapponara bianca.