The white grape variety originates from Italy. Synonyms are Albaluce, Bian Roustì, Bianchera, Erbalucente, Erbalucente Bianca, Erbalus, Greco, Greco Bianco di Novara, Greco Novarese, Trebbiano Perugino, Trebbiano Verde dell'Umbria and Uva Rustìa. The name comes from the Latin "Alba lux" (light of dawn), which refers to the small, hard-skinned and whitish shiny berries that tend to rosin. This makes them excellent for sweet wines in the style of a passito made from dried grapes. That the variety originated in Greece is an unproven hypothesis. It was first mentioned under the name Elbalus in 1606, the exact origin is probably the present DOC area of Canavese in the province of Torino in Piedmont. According to DNA analyses, there is no relationship to the Greco variety, but to the Cascarolo Bianco variety and possibly Clairette. The early to medium ripening vine is susceptible to powdery mildew. It produces low-alcohol white wines with moderate acidity. The variety is cultivated in Piedmont and is experiencing a rebirth there through clone selection. It is used in the DOC white wines Canavese, Colline Novaresi, Coste della Sesia and Erbaluce di Caluso. In 2016, 316 hectares of vines were designated (Kym Anderson).
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Thorsten Rahn
Restaurantleiter, Sommelier, Weindozent und Autor; Dresden