The white grape variety originates from Italy. Synonyms are Bianchetto, Decanico, Dorana di Venetia, Garganega Bianca, Garganega Comune, Garganega di Gambellara, Garganega Gentile, Garganega Grossa, Garganega Piramidale, Garganega Veronese, Gargania, Garganica, Grecanico, Grecanico Bianco, Grecanico Dorato, Grecenicu Biancu, Lizzara, Ostesa, Ostesona, Recanicu (Italy); Garganega Bijela (Croatia); Malvasía de Manresa (Spain). Despite seemingly suggestive synonyms or morphological similarities, it must not be confused with the varieties Dorona di Venezia, Ribolla Gialla or Vitovska. This very old vine was already mentioned in the 13th century by Petrus de Crescentiis (1230-1320). As with some other Italian grape varieties such as Greco, a Greek origin is suspected, which would also be confirmed by its occurrence in Sicily. To date, however, no genetic relationships to Greek varieties have been established.
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The glossary is a monumental achievement and one of the most important contributions to wine knowledge. Of all the encyclopaedias I use on the subject of wine, it is by far the most important. That was the case ten years ago and it hasn't changed since.
Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena