Turchetta

Also known as Turchetta Nera.

An autochthonous Veneto grape once widespread in Padova province and the Polesine area of Rovigo province, now close to extinction, though a handful of producers in the lower Padovano and the Polesine are working to recover it for the viticultural and enological qualities that make it interesting for structured red wines.

A vigorous, productive vine that adapts well to the deep, fertile plains soils of the Veneto, though it performs best on the drier, more mineral soils of the Colli Euganei. Vinification gives musts rich in anthocyanins, with good acidity, high extract and notable tannin — well suited to medium-long maceration and wood aging. Medium, pentagonal, five-lobed leaves and medium or medium-small, winged pyramidal, moderately compact clusters carry medium, round berries with very pruinose blue-black skin. It appears in Bagnoli di Sopra DOC as "Turchetta Nera" and in several Veneto IGTs.