The red grape variety originates from Italy. Synonyms are Cozzomaniello, Cuccimaniello, Cuccipaniello, Greco Nero di Cosenza, Grismaniello, Lacrima Nera di Barletta, Lagrima Nera di Barletta, Mondonico, Puledro, Somarello Nero, Susomaniello, Susumariello Nero, Uva Nera, Zingarello, Zingariello, Zuzomaniello and Zuzumaniello. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2007, it originated from a presumably natural cross between the leading Italian variety Garganega x Uva Sacra (table grape). It is a parent of the variety Notardomenico. According to one hypothesis, it should have come from Dalmatia (Croatia). The medium ripening vine is very productive, which is indicated by its name. You could pack a donkey with the many grapes. The saying "Susu lu somariello!" means "Run donkey!". But it is a phenomenon that after about ten years the yield capacity shrinks extremely. This was also the main reason for the decline of the grape variety. It yields colour-intensive, acid-emphasised red wines with aromas of red fruits. It is permitted in Apulia in the DOC red wines Brindisi, Ostuni and Squinzano. In 2016, eight hectares of vines were designated (Kym Anderson).
![]()
As honorary chairman of the Domäne Wachau, it is the easiest and quickest way for me to access the wein.plus encyclopaedia when I have questions. The certainty of receiving well-founded and up-to-date information here makes it an indispensable guide.
Hans-Georg Schwarz
Ehrenobmann der Domäne Wachau (Wachau)