RARE GRAPE VARIETAL RESOURCE

History: Uva Longanesi is a little-known red grape variety from Emilia-Romagna, Italy. It is one of several wine grapes to have been rediscovered and revived in the region over the past couple of decades, the other notable examples being Uva del Fantini and Centesimino.

Uva Longanesi is thought to have been growing in the Ravenna province for centuries, but was not propagated or documented until the early 20th Century. A single "mother" vine was discovered by Antonio Longanesi, after whom the variety is named, near his home in Bagnacavallo, Ravenna. Longanesi took cuttings from the vine (which was growing naturally, wrapped around the trunk of an old oak tree) and, in the 1950s, his son Aldo planted the world's first Uva Longanesi vineyard.

Uva Longanesi is relatively hardy in the vineyard, resistant to both fungal diseases and frost.

On December 6, 2000, the variety was officially recognized and added to Italy's Registro Nazionale delle Varieta di Vite (national register of wine grape varieties). There are now roughly 500 acres (200ha) planted in the Ravenna province, and varietal Uva Longanesi wines may be made under the Emilia, Forli, Rubicone and Ravenna IGT titles. (Courtesy of https://www.wine-searcher.com/ ) To those in Bagnacavallo, Uva Longanesi is known as "Burson". This rather unflattering pseudonym, which means "Big Bore" in the local slang, was Antonio Longanesi’s nickname. Burson wine is available in two types  Burson Etichetta Blu , which does not undergo appassimento (drying ), but is subjected to carbonic maceration , the same as Novello wine , which gives it freshness, notes of violets, plums , and pepper in the background. Burson Etichetta Nera, on the other hand, is the most prized wine, made from grapes left to dry and left to mature for at least two years in small wooden barrels. The resulting wine has a ruby color tending towards garnet, with fruity notes of plums in alcohol, chocolate , licorice , and a notable structure , with tannins softened by barrel aging. (Courtesy of https://www.quattrocalici.it/)

VIVC: https://www.vivc.de/index.php?r=passport%2Fview&id=22605

Parentage: Unknown

Tasting notes: Once vinified, it shows off red fruit like cherry and strawberry, with some vanilla and even licorice overtones. Wines made from Uva Longanesi have plenty of tannins.

Food pairings: Burson Etichetta Blu is a pleasant wine to pair with traditional Romagna first courses and grilled meats. Burson Etichetta Nera pairs well with first courses and game dishes, such as pappardelle with wild boar ragù, guinea fowl with truffle, shank baked with potatoes.

Production area: Emilia Romagna (Ravenna province under the Emilia, Forli, Rubicone, Bologna and Ravenna IGT titles)

Producers: https://www.autoctovino.com/grape/uva-longanesi/
 

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

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