Garganega and other varieties : The white grapes of Custoza DOC Wine

Origins and Characteristics of the Grape Varieties

Garganega 

• ORIGIN: Garganega is an ancient vine of Greek origin, passed to Sicily and named Grecanico d’Or. Extremely adaptable to different soils and winemaking techniques, it can generate dry, sweet, still, and sparkling wines. This grape is widespread in Veneto, more than 30 percent of the total number of Veronese vines. In addition to the Custoza area, whose blend contributes from 20 to 40 percent, Garganega is also widespread in the Soave and Gambellare area on the Berici Hills. It gives aromatic wines, pleasant on the palate and nose for the fruity scent.

• CHARACTERISTICS: The cluster is large, long, cylindrical-pyramidal in shape, winged, and relatively loose. The grape is medium, spherical, slightly flattened; pruinose skin, not very thick, golden-yellow; pulp with a neutral flavor, slightly acidic.

Trebbianello

• ORIGIN: also known as Tocai Friulano or Tocai Italico, Trebbianello is a vine that claims at least two centuries of Italian character. Recent studies by the Experimental Institute for Viticulture have identified it as sauvignonasse, an old Bordeaux vine where it has practically disappeared.

• CHARACTERISTICS: it presents itself to the eye as a beautiful golden yellow, with greenish reflections. It is fine on the nose, with unmistakable aromas of fruit. It is soft and round on the palate, and the disciplinary allows it from 10 to 45 percent. The bunch is medium, truncated pyramidal, with one or two wings, medium compact.

Bianca Fernanda (or Cortese)

• ORIGIN: the origin of the Cortese vine, which in the Custoza area is known as Bianca Fernanda, is not specific, but it is believed that it derives from the provinces of Alessandria, Novara, and Tortonese and has been known in Piedmont since the 18th century also with dialectal terms corteis, courtesia and courteis. The specification grants it from 0 to 30 percent.

• CHARACTERISTICS: it is a grape with golden yellow berries and sweet pulp. It is a robust vine that grows beautifully on hills exposed to the sun. It produces abundant fruits that ripen between September and October. It gives a straw yellow-colored wine with an intense, pleasant aroma. The cluster is medium to large, conical, pyramidal, winged, loose.

Incrocio Manzoni

• ORIGIN: This vine hides the fruit of the work of Professor Luigi Manzoni, dean of the Enological School of Conegliano, between the thirties and fifties. Riesling Renano and Pinot Bianco were crossed after several attempts to obtain Manzoni crossing. The specification grants it from 0 to 30 percent. It was included in the DOC thanks to the will of the Monte del Frà winery, which discovered how this vineyard was able to give longevity to Custoza.

• CHARACTERISTICS: Manzoni is often used in blending with other grapes for its contribution to acidity. It has a rich and delicate bouquet with fresh fruity notes and light aromas in purity. The bunch is small, short, medium compact, cylindrical-conical in shape, often with a wing.