Schiava Gentile

Also known as Kleinvernatsch, Vernatsch.

A genuinely distinct MASAF-registered biotype (scheda 222) within the Schiava family, officially catalogued in Italy's National Vine Variety Register since 1970 — smaller-berried than the dominant Schiava Grossa, with more tender skin and a more pronounced aromatic character. Medium, loose, pyramidal clusters carry medium blue-violet berries. Unusually for the family, DNA profiling traces Schiava Gentile's descent to Pinot Nero, one of many European varieties with Pinot Noir in its ancestry.

Cultivated exclusively as a wine grape (unlike Schiava Grossa, also grown for table use), across Bolzano, Trento and Verona provinces. In Veneto it is named alongside Schiava Grossa and Schiava Grigia as one of the three biotypes making up the required minimum-85% "Schiave" blend for Valdadige's varietal typology and for the province of Verona in Vallagarina IGT.