Wine Grape: Ribolla Gialla
White wine grape best known in Italy's Friuli region, but probably with Greek origins. Various documents from before the 14th century refer to it, and the 14th century writer Boccaccio mentions it in a condemnation of gluttony. In the 18th century, writer Antonio Musnig claimed that Ribolla Gialla made the finest white wine in Fruili. In the 20th century, many Ribolla Gialla vines were replaced with international varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, but recent interest in grape varieties considered native has resulted in new plantings.
In addition to making pure Ribolla Gialla wines, it is frequently blended with other local grapes such as Tocai Friulano and Malvasia Istriana. Ribolla Gialla is not related to Ribolla Nera, which is also known as Schioppettino.
Synonyms
Also known as Gargania, Raibolla, Rebolla, Rebula, Ribolla, Ribolla Bianca, Ribolla Gialla di Rosazzo, Ribollat, Ribuole, Ribuèle, Robola
Where
Italy: Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Also: Greece, Slovenia
Principal Wines
Italy: Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Collio Goriziano or Collio DOC, Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC
Characteristics
Color: Light straw yellow with green (or sometimes yellow) hues.
Nose: Fruity (lemon), Floral, Nutty (Hazelnut), Mineral
Palate: Good acidity. Light body.
(Back to Wine Grapes index)
