Rossola Nera

Also known as Rossola.

A native red grape found exclusively in Valtellina, documented since at least the 17th century, whose name ("rossola" = "reddish one") reflects its intensely red berries. 2004 DNA profiling established a parent-offspring relationship between Rossola Nera and Nebbiolo, though which is parent and which offspring remains unresolved — most ampelographers favor Nebbiolo as the parent given its own documented Piedmontese history back to at least the 13th century, well before Rossola Nera's own earliest records. Thin violet skins give deep ruby color; the variety is prized above all for the vibrant acidity it lends to blends, boosting freshness and aging potential in wines that would otherwise be pale and softer when made from Nebbiolo alone. Good frost resistance suits it to Valtellina's alpine terraces, though it's more susceptible to powdery mildew than Nebbiolo.

In the disciplinare's own abbreviated form "Rossola," one of the varieties admitted for Alpi Retiche IGT's Spumante Metodo Classico base (alongside Nebbiolo/Chiavennasca, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and Pignola), and — together with Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo) and Pignola — one of only three varieties permitted to be specified in label on the still dry white typology without the usual color-analogy requirement.