Vespolina

{{Short description|Variety of grape}}

{{distinguish|Vespaiola}}

{{Infobox grape variety

| name = Vespolina

| image =

| caption =

| color = Noir

| species = Vitis vinifera

| also_called = See list of synonyms

| origin = Italy

| hazards =

| regions =

| notable_wines =

}}

Vespolina is a red Italian wine grape variety that is planted in Piedmont around Gattinara and Ghemme. Ampelographer believe that the grape is most likely indigenous to this area of Piedmont and recent DNA profiling identified a parent-offspring relationship with Nebbiolo. Outside Piedmont it is found in the Lombardy region of Oltrepò Pavese where the grape is known as Ughetta. J. Robinson (ed) "The Oxford Companion to Wine" Third Edition pg 733 Oxford University Press 2006 {{ISBN|0-19-860990-6}} In Gattinara, Vespolina is sometimes blended with Nebbiolo and Bonarda Piemontese. J. Robinson Jancis Robinson's Wine Course Third Edition pg 153 Abbeville Press 2003 {{ISBN|0-7892-0883-0}} Unlike the white Italian grape Vespaiolo, the root of the name Vespolina does not have a direct connection with vespe or wasp. However the true origins of the name are still unclear. Oz Clarke Encyclopedia of Grapes pg 273 Harcourt Books 2001 {{ISBN|0-15-100714-4}}

Relationship to other grapes

Through its parent-offspring relationship with Nebbiolo, Vespolina is a half-sibling of several Piemontese wine grape varieties including: Bubbierasco, Brugnola, Freisa, Nebbiolo rosé, Negretta, Neretto di Bairo and Rossola nera.Ian D'Agata Native Wine Grapes of Italy, pg 476 University of California Press 2014 {{ISBN|9780520272262}}

Synonyms

The grape Vespolina is known under a variety of synonyms. These include Balsamina, Canneta, Croattina, Guzetta, Guzitta, Guzzetta, Inzaga, Inzagre, Massana, Nespolina, Nespolino, Novarina, Solenga, Ughetta, Ughetta di Caneto, Ughetta di Canetto, Ughetta di Canneto, Ughetta di Fassolo, Ughetta di Solenga, Uva Cinerina, Uva Rara, Uvetta, Uvetto, Vespolino, Visparola and Vispavola.{{cite web |url=http://www.vivc.de/datasheet/dataResult.php?data=13018 |title=Vespolina |work=Vitis International Variety Catalogue |access-date=2010-01-31}}

References