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Lombardy Native Vines – Second Part
Rosa D'Ancona – December 1, 2006

Native White Vines

	Chiavennasca
	Moscato di Scanzo
	Pignola

Invernenga
Cultivated in the province of Brescia, this vine is currently fairly rare. It has been grown since the early 1800s and in the past was used as a table grape. It produces a wine with greenish highlights, sapid, with fairly low acidity.

Native Red Vines

Chiavennasca
The name in the local dialect is Chiuinascha, which means 'more marc' (the solid leftover after the grape crushing). This vine has been widely cultivated in the Valtellina area since the 15th century and it is genetically related to Nebbiolo, one of the typical Piedmontese native vines. This variety is part of the vitivinicultural history of its production area and is used in the composition of the Valtellina DOC wines.

Lambrusco Viadanese
Cultivated in the province of Mantova, near the town of Viadana, from which it takes the name, this vine is mentioned by author Pier de' Crescenzi in his 14th century writings. The production area is limited to the strip of land between the Oglio and Po rivers. The grapes produce an acidic, intense ruby red colored wine, with appreciable alcohol content, tannic and lightly frothy.

Moscato di Scanzo
According to historic sources, the first Moscato vines where planted in what is now the municipality of Scanzorosciate by ancient legionnaires, who were compensated with fertile agricultural lands conquered from the ancient French. This wine was known and appreciated by the noble houses during the Renaissance. It was exported as far as Russia and it was quoted on the London stock exchange. Currently it is one of the rarest DOC wines produced in the region. It ia sweet, because it is produced with overripened grapes, and has an intense perfume and velvety flavor.

Pignola
This vine takes its name from the particular shape of the bunch, which is reminiscent of a pine cone (pigna). Introduced in Lombardy during the 16th century, this vine is recommended for use in the production of the Valtellina blend wines, to which it brings color and sapidity.

Rossola
Cultivated exclusively in Valtellina, traces of this vine are documented as far back as the 17th century. Its name derives from the caracteristic reddish color of the skin, which becomes never truly black. The Rossola is used in many Valtellina wine blends, to which it gives good acidity, thus favoring the preservation and ageing.

Outstanding Producers of DOC Wines

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