Bubbierasco Explained

Bubbierasco is a red Italian wine grape variety that is grown in the province of Cuneo in the Piedmont wine region of northwest Italy. The grape is a natural crossing of the Nebbiolo grape, famous for the red wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, and Bianchetta di Saluzzo, a white grape variety that has been historically grown around the town of Saluzzo.^[1]

History and relationship to other grapes

Ampelographers believe that Bubbierasco likely originated around the town of Saluzzo, in the Cuneo province, where its two parent varieties, Bianchetta di Saluzzo and Nebbiolo, have both been grown. In the early 21st century, DNA analysis showed that Bubbierasco was likely a natural crossing of the white Bianchetta and red Nebbiolo varieties.^[1]

Through its parent-offspring relationship with Nebbiolo, Bubbierasco is a half-sibling of several Piemontese wine grape varieties including: Vespolina, Brugnola, Freisa, Nebbiolo rosé, Negretta, Neretto di Bairo and Rossola nera.^[2]

Wine regions

Today Bubbierasco is almost exclusively cultivated in the province of Cuneo in Piedmont with most plantings found in the Val Bronda region near Saluzzo.^[1]

Synonyms

Currently, the Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC) recognizes no official synonyms for Bubbierasco.^[3]

Notes and References

1. J. Robinson, J. Harding and J. Vouillamoz Wine Grapes - A complete guide to 1,368 vine varieties, including their origins and flavours, pg 141 Allen Lane 2012
2. Ian D'Agata Native Wine Grapes of Italy, pg 476 University of California Press 2014
3. [Vitis International Variety Catalogue]