Trebbiano Spoletino is a white wine grape native to Italy. It is found only in Umbria, specifically around Perugia to where it may be native (Ian D’Agata: 2014, p.147). It become popular there as a varietal wine at the turn of the 21st-century, after Cantina Novelli made a monovarietal wine from it. Ian D’Agata (ibid) cautions that until recently few Umbrian producers had more than a few rows of this variety, and that few of the wines he has tasted managed to taste alike, ranging from neutral to aromatic wines reminiscent of Gewurztraminer. ‘To be kind, there appears to be large intravarietal variability with this grape,’ he concludes.

Characteristics: Italy’s national registry describes Trebbiano Spoletino as having medium-large leaves with a downy undersurface, very compact bunches and medium-sized, round berries. Like other members of the Trebbiano group of grape varieties, Spoletino ripens late [into winter in Umbria], is resistant to peronospera (downy mildew) and rot (Botrytis cinerea), but slightly less to oidium, says D’Agata (2014, p.147). Producers around the towns of Montefalco and Spoleto (whence the name) have told me the Spoletino grape has thick skins and was historically considered disease- hardy enough to grow on the valley floor.

Wine styles: It can be used for still whites (with or without skin contact) and sparkling wines.

Clones: There is only one official clone of Trebbiano Spoletino (ISV-ICA PG) which compared to the standard population has greater resistance to powdery mildew (oidium) and botrytis, and has higher total acidity at similar levels of ripeness (Ian D’Agata, ibid).

Flavour profile: Ian D’Agata (2014, p.147) says that in his view ‘Trebbiano Spoletino is not an aromatic variety,’ meaning wines with musky or Sauvignon Blanc characters may not in fact be Spoletino.

Wineries

Certified organic: Antonelli San Marco.