Barbera bianca

In fact, DNA analysis conducted in the early 21st century shows no genetic relationship at all between the two grape varieties.

Barbera bianca is a permitted grape variety in the Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) wines of Colli Tortonesi produced in the province of Alessandria.

[1] The exact origins of Barbera bianca are not yet known but the grape has been growing in the Piedmont region of Italy since at least the early 19th century when it was described in an 1825 document.

However, DNA profiling in the early 21st century showed that the two grapes are distinct varieties with no known genetic relationship between them.

[1] Barbera bianca is a mid-ripening grape variety that is prone to producing high yields if not kept in check with winter pruning and late season green harvesting.

Barbera bianca is believed to have gotten its name due to the similarities in the size and shape of its grape clusters with the red Piedmont wine grape Barbera (pictured) .
The Colli Tortonesi wine region in the province of Alessandria.