Brugnola

[1] Brugnola was long thought to be a local synonym used in the Valtellina region for the red Emilia-Romagna grape, Fortana.

[1] Through its parent-offspring relationship with Nebbiolo, Brugnola is a half-sibling of several Piemontese wine grape varieties including: Bubbierasco, Vespolina, Freisa, Nebbiolo rosé, Negretta, Neretto di Bairo and Rossola nera.

[2] In Lombardy, Brugnola is noted for producing reliable yields and its strong resistance to the viticultural hazards of downy mildew and botrytis bunch rot.

However, the vine is very prone to damage caused by the onset of powdery mildew late in the growing season.

[1] The Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC) still officially recognizes Brugnola only as a synonym for Fortana[3] and for Lambruscone.

In the early 21st century, DNA analysis revealed that Brugnola has a close parent-offspring relationship with the Piemontese wine grape Nebbiolo (pictured) .
Historically, plantings of Brugnola in the Valtellina region (pictured) were officially counted as being Fortana vines.