Schioppettino

Infobox grape variety
name = Schioppettino


caption =
species = Vitis Vinifera
also_called = Ribolla Nera (more)
origin = Slovenia/Italian border region
hazards =
regions = Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Prepotto, Slovenia
notable_wines = Colli Orientali del Friuli Rosso, Cialla Schioppettino, Isonzo Rosso

Schiopettino (meaning "gunshot" or "little crack" [ Friuli-DOC info [http://www.friuli-doc.com/eng/referenze.asp?Prodotto=13 Schioppettino] , varietal info ] also known as "Ribolla Nera") is a red Italian wine grape grown predominately in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of northeast Italy. The grape is believed to have originated between the comune of Prepotto and the Slovenian border where records of the Schiopettino wine being used in marriage ceremonies date to 1282. The grape was nearly lost to extinction following the phylloxera epidemic of the late 19th century when vineyard owners decided against replanting the variety in favor of French wine grapes like Cabernet franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot gris, Sauvignon blanc and Merlot. Some isolated plantings continued to exist till a 1978 European Union decree encouraged its planting in the province of Udine. J. Robinson (ed) "The Oxford Companion to Wine" Third Edition pg 615-616 Oxford University Press 2006 ISBN 0198609906 ]

Viticulture and wine

Today the "Vitis vinifera" grape is a prominent planting in the Colli Orientali del Friuli "Denominazione di origine controllata" (DOC) where it produces very aromatic, medium bodied wines with Rhône-like qualities of deep dark coloring with violet, raspberry and pepper notes. In addition to thriving in the Prepotto area, the grape also seems to do well in the Buttrio-Manzano area. The grape's high acidity and low alcohol levels bodes well for a semi-sparkling style that is mostly consumed domestically and rarely exported. Oz Clarke "Encyclopedia of Grapes" pg 229 Harcourt Books 2001 ISBN 0151007144 ]

Wine regions

Today the grape is found mostly in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region and Slovenia. It is used most notably in the wines from Prepotto, Colli Orientali del Friuli Rosso, Cialla Schioppettino and Isonzo Rosso. M. Ewing-Mulligan & E. McCarthy "Italian Wines for Dummies" pg 132-140 Hungry Minds 2001 ISBN 0764553550 ] The grape has recently gone to the United States, being planted in the California wine region of Sonoma County. [ Appellation America, [http://wine.appellationamerica.com/grape-varietal/Schioppettino.html Schioppettino] , varietal description ]

ynonyms

Pocalza, Ribolla Nera, Schioccoletto, Schiopetino, Schioppettino, Scoppiettino cite web | last =Maul | first =Erika | authorlink = | coauthors = Töpfer, Reinhard; Eibach, Rudolf | title = Vitis International Variety Catalogue | work = | publisher = Institute for Grapevine Breeding Geilweilerhof (IRZ), Siebeldingen, Germany | date = 2007 | url = http://www.vivc.bafz.de | format = | doi = | accessdate = 2007-12-22]

References