Uvalino

Uvalinois a redItalian winegrape varietythat is grown in thePiedmont wineregion of northwest Italy. While the nameuvalinomeans "small berries",ampelographersbelieve that the name may be derived fromuvariowhich in the localPiedmontese dialectwas used to denote wine grapes that were primarily minor blending varieties.

In recent years, the high levels of theantioxidantresveratrolof Uvalino has brought attention to the grape due to its potentialhealth benefits.

History

Uvalino has been historically associated with the province of Asti, particularly around the commune of Nizza Monferrato.

The first documented account of Uvalino was of the grape variety growing in the communes ofCastelletto MolinaandNizza Monferratoin theprovince of Astiby botanistGiorgio Gallesioin 1831. In 2006,DNA analysisrevealed that Uvalino has a likely parent-offspring relationship with the nearly extinct Piemontese grapeNeretto di Marengo.

Uvalino, itself, was on the verge of extinction until the late 20th century when winemakerMariuccia Boriowas inspired by wine made by famousBarolowinemakerRenato Rattifrom a small planting of Uvalino at his Villa Pattono estate inLa Morrain theprovince of Cuneo.Reminded of a wine from her childhood, Borio began working with Ratti and theAstiextension of theInstitute of Experimental Viticulture(Istituto Sperimentale per la Viticoltura) ofConegliano Venetoto revive plantings of the grape variety. By 2002, their efforts got Uvalino placement on the official registry ofItalian grape varieties.

Viticulture

Uvalino is alate-ripeninggrape variety that can be very robust and resistant to manyviticultural hazardssuch asbotrytis bunch rot.Its low-sensitivity to manylate seasonhazards like fungal infections allows growers to give the grapes long "hang time" on the vine beforeharvestto achieve more ripephenolicsflavors.

Wine regions

Vineyards in the Asti region of Piedmont where Uvalino is almost exclusively grown.

Being only added to the official registry of Italian grape varieties in 2002, there is not yet an official census count of how many plantings of Uvalino there are in Italy. However, ampelographers believe that the grape is almost exclusively grown in the Piedmont region.

Styles

According toMaster of WineJancis Robinson,as avarietal,Uvalino tends to producefull-bodiedwines with noticeabletanninsandacidity levelswitharomasof sweet spices and red fruits.

Synonyms

Over the years, Uvalino has been known under a variety of synonyms including: Cunaiola (inCanavese), Freisone (inTortona), Lambrusca (inRoero) and Lambruschino (in Roero).However, theVitis International Variety Catalogue(VIVC) currently does not recognize any official synonyms for Uvalino but does note thatUvalinois used as synonym for the Italian wine grapePistolinoandUvalino nerois a synonym forCroatina.