The white grape variety originates from Italy. Synonyms include Apiana, Apiano, Fiana, Fiano di Avellino, Fiore Mendillo, Foiano, Latina Bianca, Latina Bianca di Barletta, Latino, Latino Bianco, Minutola, Minutolo, and Santa Sofia. It should not be confused with the Minutolo variety (Fiano Aromatico, Fiore Mendillo) or the previously considered identical Santa Sofia despite seemingly indicative synonyms or Morphology similarities. The parentage is unknown. A 2021 DNA revealed that the suspected variant Fiano Aromatico is independent (unknown mother variety x Visparola) and has therefore been renamed Minutolo.
Origin
According to an unverifiable hypothesis, one of the varieties mentioned by ancient Roman authors Columella (1st century AD) and Plinius (23-79) is believed to be an ancestor of Fiano, which was referred to as Vitis apiana due to its special attraction to bees (apis). It is a very old variety that was already mentioned in 1240 in connection with wine purchases for the Holy Roman Emperor and ruler of the Kingdom of Sicily, Frederick II (1194-1250), with "vino fiano saumas III" (saumas = units of measurement).
