The white grape variety originates from Italy. The name could be derived from "vermis" or "verme" (worm) and refers to the curved shoots or the elongated grape shape. There are some synonyms that attest to its great age and wide distribution. The most important, grouped alphabetically by country, are Garbesso, Garbessu, Malvasie, Malvoisie du Douro, Rolle, Rollé, Valentin (France); Carica l'Asino, Favorita, Favorita Bianca, Favorita Bianca di Conegliano, Favorita d'Alba, Favorita di Conegliano, Formentino, Pigato, Sapaiola, Vermentino Bianco, Vermentino di Gallura, Vermentino Pigato (Italy); Malvasia, Malvasia à Bonifacio, Malvasia Bonifacio, Malvasia de Corse, Malvasia Grossa, Malvoisie à Gros Grains, Malvoisie Corse, Malvoisie de Corse, Verlantin, Varlantin, Vermentinu (Corsica).

According to an unverifiable hypothesis, the variety is said to have travelled from Madeira via the Spanish mainland and Corsica to Italy as early as the 13th or 14th century. Other hypotheses assume an origin in Greece or the Middle East. However, there is no ampelographic or historical evidence for this.
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