Episode 1698

Ep. 1698 Vespolina By Annie Replogle | Italian Grape Geek

Italian Grape Geek

December 17, 2023

37,73263889

Annie Replogle

Wine Variety Focus

podcasts

fruits

italy

wine

spain

Episode Summary

Content Analysis Key Themes and Main Ideas 1. Introduction to Vespolina: A rare red grape variety from Piedmont. 2. Etymology and naming convention of Vespolina. 3. Viticultural characteristics and challenges of growing Vespolina. 4. Sensory profile and winemaking techniques for Vespolina wines. 5. Versatility of Vespolina as a monovarietal and blending component. 6. Food pairing recommendations for Vespolina. 7. The speaker's personal discovery and appreciation of Vespolina. 8. Mention of notable Vespolina producers. Summary This podcast episode focuses on Vespolina, a relatively rare red grape native to Piedmont and a descendant of Nebbiolo. The presenter explains that the grape's name likely comes from ""vespa"" (wasp) due to wasps being attracted to its sweetness. Vespolina is characterized by high polyphenols and a distinctive peppery note from Rotundone. While it produces a robust medium ruby red wine with notes of cherry, rose, balsamic, and spice, it is challenging to cultivate due to low yields, irregular ripening, dehydration tendency, and poor adaptation to American rootstock. It's often used as a blending agent to add complexity but also produces compelling monovarietal wines that pair well with hearty dishes like roasted meats and mushroom risotto. The speaker shares a personal anecdote of discovering Vespolina through the Vanitaly International Academy course, highlighting its unique qualities and comparing its peppery notes to other grapes like Schioppettino. Takeaways * Vespolina is a rare red grape primarily found in Piedmont and Lombardy, descended from Nebbiolo. * Its name (""little wasp"") refers to insects being attracted to its ripening sweetness. * The grape contains Rotundone, imparting a distinct peppery note to the wine. * Vespolina is challenging to grow due to low yields, irregular ripening, and susceptibility to certain issues. * Wines are medium ruby red with notes of red cherry, rose, herbs, balsamic, and black pepper, often aged in oak. * It's used both as a blending agent to add color, tannin, and spice, and as a monovarietal. * Vespolina pairs excellently with rich, heavy foods like stews and mushroom risotto. * The speaker credits the Vanitaly International Academy course for introducing them to this ""hidden gem."

About This Episode

The transcript discusses the Italian wine podcast, where attendees can donate five or more fee... dollars to support the show. The podcast covers personal stories of travel and tasting with Italian wine, including Vesp hadn't been a part of the Italian wine industry. The podcast also explores the names of the great Vesp hadn't, Vesp hadn't, Vasqualina, and Scupetino, among other foods and formats.

Transcript

The Italian wine podcast is the community driven platform for Italian winegeeks around the world. Support the show by donating at italian wine podcast dot com. Donate five or more Euros, and we'll send you a copy of our latest book, my Italian Great Geek journal. Absolutely free. To get your free copy of my Italian GreatGeek journal, click support us at italian wine podcast dot com, or wherever you get your pods. Welcome to the Italian Great Geek podcast. Join us as we explore personal stories of travel and tasting with Italy's must know grape for idols. Chart your own course with my Italian Great Geek journal, your personal tasting companion to accompany the series. Available now on Amazon with thanks to Colangelo and partners for their generous support with this project. Hi. I'm Annie and Vespelina is the next grape I'll touch on. This is a red grape needed to Piedmont and a descendant of Nebula. Nowadays, the grapes mainly found in Culina, Novoresi, and Katinara, in Piedmont, as well as, and lombardy. Its sedonyms include and While less known internationally compared to some of the other Italian varieties, Vespilina contributes to the unique and diverse Viticulture landscape of both Piedmont and Lombardy. And I absolutely love the story behind the name of the great Vespilina. It's believed to come from the Italian word vespa meaning wasp, and this is because the wasps are attracted to the sweetness of the ripening grapes. The grape is high in polyphenols and rich in rotundon It results in this dark, tan, like, spicy wine that's often used as a blending agent, and the rotundun, in particular, imparts this beautiful peppery note that you'll discover in Vespolina wines. In the vineyard, it's very low yielding and ripens irregularly, causing it have a tendency to dehydrate on the vine. And it's also difficult to work with, especially given its poor adaptation to American root stock. It has good resistance to spring frost, but it's susceptible to rot and mildew. And deep fertile soils should be avoided with Vespilina because they delay the maturation of the grape. Skin contacts usually kept short, and the wines typically aged in oak barrels to help soften the tannins. The color of Vespilina wine is medium ruby red and it bursts with notes of juicy, sour red cherry, rose, rosemary, marjoram, mint, balsamic, cinnamon, as well as that distinctive black pepper character. It has medium plus body with bright acidity, and its aromas are very similar to Nebula and pinonero, but it has a bit more spiciness. While mono varietals do exist as still dry reds, Vasqualina is commonly used to add complexity to blends, adding color, tan, and body, and spice to other varietals such as Nebulaiolo, croatina and uvarara. Because this wine is so robust and powerful, it pairs beautifully with heavier dishes such as stewed meats, roasted lamb or veal, lasagna, as well as or mushroom risotto. In fact, the first time I ever tried Vespulina was actually during my studies for the Van Italy International Academy Italian wine Ambassador course. I was living in New York City at the time, and I hunted down a bottle of Francesco Brigattis Espolina, one cold winter night, and I made a delicious risotto Waifungi to pair with it. And the spiciness and the earthiness of the wine were the perfect complement to the mushroom risotto. And ever since that night, I've been a big fan of Espelina ever since. And in addition to Francesco Brigati, some other fantastic producers of the grape include Vini Yopa, Antiqui Vignieti di Canto lupo, and to Russia Delpia. I personally had so much fun learning about Vasqualina as it's a very rare grape. You know, it's definitely not a grape you encounter too often. And in the past, I'd always been a fan of Skupetino, which is a bit more well known amongst Italian wines. I really loved Scupetino's like spicy pepperiness, and I had been drinking it for years, and I had no clue until trying Vespalina that it shared that same peppery characteristic. And again, it's due to the presence of Riton dong. So it was such a memorable experience trying Vespalina for the first time And, you know, I after that first bottle, I I've been a fan ever since, and I really owe it all to the Van Italy International Academy, the Italian wine Ambassador course, for helping me unveil this hidden gem because I'm not quite sure I would have stumbled upon it unless I had, been forced to study it, and I'm so glad I did. As to this day, I still enjoy a bottle every once in a while. Listen to the Italian wine podcast. Wherever you get your podcast, We're on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, EmailIFM, and more. Don't forget to subscribe and rate the show. If you enjoy listening, please consider donating through Italian wine podcast dot com. Any amount helps cover equipment, product and publication costs. Until next time.