RARE GRAPE VARIETAL RESOURCE

his is a traditional table grape, the result of a cross between the white variety called Foster and the zibibbo from Pantelleria, created in 1908 by the producer Luigi Pirovano from Vaprio d’Adda, in the province of Milan, who started selling the first cuttings at the beginning of the 1900s. Registered as “Incrocio Pirovano 46A”, this moscatellone has average size bunches (17-10 cm); regular ellipsoid grapes, fairly pruinose, thick and consistent skin ranging from amber to alabaster yellow and slightly muscat flavored pulpy flesh. It ripens between the end of August and first days of September. 

It was once widespread in Lazio and Piedmont, on the hills around Tortona. Its production progressively declined due to the introduction of more productive varieties, including the Italian grape. 

A producer, who acquired the residence and winemaking business from Pirovano, carried out research in all of the upper Monferrato area and found a cuttings producer who still grew a few plants of Delizia di Vaprio. They were examined and confirmed by an ampelographic technician. He has currently planted some in the historic land of Vaprio d’Adda. 

In addition to this small producer’s vineyard, the municipal government of Vaprio d’Adda created a teaching vineyard, inaugurated in June 2014. 

Currently there are a total of 300 producing Delizia di Vaprio plants, but this historic grape variety cannot be found for sale, it is grown only for home consumption.

(Courtesy of Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity – Ark of Taste) https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/?fwp_arca_settore=wines-and-grape-varietals-en)

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