Bombino bianco

Bombino bianco is a white Italian wine grape variety planted primarily along Italy's Adriatic coast line, most notably in Apulia.

[6] In the Abruzzo wine region, Bombino bianco has been historically associated with Trebbiano d'Abruzzo but in recent years ampelographers have been beginning to doubt that the two grape varieties are the same.

Since 1994, the Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) called Trebbiano d'Abruzzo has listed both grapes as separate varieties permitted in the blend of the white wine.

It is also a relatively easy grape to grow with solid resistant to most viticultural hazards such as the fungal disease powdery and downy mildew as well as botrytis bunch rot.

Ampelographers have also discovered from DNA studies that Bombino bianco is probably one of the parent varieties of the Apulian grapes Impigno and Moscatello Selvatico.

Grapes destined for DOC production here are limited to a harvest yield no greater than 12 tonnes/hectare with the finished wines needing to attain a minimum alcohol level of at least 11%.

[7] In Molise, Bombino bianco grown along the Biferno river in the 135-hectare (330-acre) DOC region are blended (between 20 and 30%) with Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia bianca.

In the white wine of Pentro di Isernia DOC, Bombino bianco accounts for between 30 and 40% of the blend along with Trebbiano Toscano.

Bombino bianco grown in this DOC region located 30 kilometers (18.5 miles) north of Rome are limited to a harvest yield of 16 tonnes/hectare with a finished alcohol level of 11%.

In Cerveteri, Bombino can only account for a maximum of 15% of the blend that includes the same varieties as Bianco Capena but with Tocai Friulano and Verdicchio also permitted.

[7] In the Cesanese di Olevano Romano DOC that is also in Lazio, Bombino bianco can be used in the still, semi-sparkling frizzante and fully sparkling spumante red wines that are often made slightly sweet.

Bombino bianco grown within this 80 hectares (200 acres) are limited to a maximum yield of 14 tonnes/hectare with a finished alcohol level of at least 11.5% for DOC designated wine.

Here the grape is blended with Malvasia del Chianti, Greco di Tufo, Bianco d'Alessano, Trebbiano Toscano and Verdeca.

Synonyms for Bombino bianco such as Debit and Pagadebit came about due to the grape's reputation for being a reliable crop that produced large yields that would assure a grower that he could "pay his debts" each vintage.
While the exact relationship between Bombino bianco and Trebbiano d'Abruzzo (pictured) is not clear, both grapes are allowed for use in making the DOC wine of Trebbiano d'Abruzzo .
Bombino bianco is most widely grown in the Puglia region, particularly the Bari, Lecce and Foggia provinces.
Bombino bianco can be used for still, semi and fully sparkling wines. It is often imported to Germany for the production of inexpensive sparkling sekt.
Bombino bianco is often blended with Malvasia (pictured) .
In addition to Bombino bianco's use in winemaking, the grape is also used in raisin production and to make vermouth for martinis.