RARE GRAPE VARIETAL RESOURCE

Uva del Fantini is a virtually extinct black-berried variety that is unique to the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. Previously undocumented, it was discovered in 1965 by Luigi Fantini, the renowned scholar of antiquities after whom it is named. Fantini stumbled across a vine measuring 65 feet (20m) in length, with a trunk measuring 4ft (1.2m) in circumference. He recorded at the time that it was producing "between 500 and 600 kilograms of excellent black grapes". This vine is thought to be the variety’s sole survivor of the phylloxera crisis.

In 2000, the vine was rediscovered by Stefano Galli, a local nature enthusiast, who set about nurturing it. Four years later, he brought it to the attention of Alessandro Galletti of the Podere Riosto winery, who took a number of cuttings.

In July 2012, after an eight-year campaign by Galli and Galletti, the new variety was sanctioned for use in IGT wines. At that time, Uva del Fantini plantings covered just 0.66 ha, all within the Podere Riosto vineyards.

Because of the variety's only recent rediscovery, little is known about it. However, initial testing suggests it has good aromatic intensity and the potential to make soft and perfumed wines that are not too high in alcohol. The testing also suggests that wines produced from Uva del Fantini may not have great structure or longevity; however, only the passage of time will confirm or disprove this.

(Photo and text source: https://www.wine-searcher.com/grape)

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