Forastera

Forastera is a white Italian wine grape variety that is grown on the islands of Ischia and Procida off the coast of Naples in Campania.

[1] Ampelographers believe that the name Forastera is derived from the Italian word forestiero which means "foreign" and could be an indication that the grape didn't originate on the Campanian islands.

Additional late 19th century writings from ampelographer Giuseppe Froio also described the grape growing in Ischia.

[1] It was once thought the Campanian Forastera was at some point brought to the Canary Islands where the a white Forastera grape is still grown and permitted for us in several Denominación de Origen (DO) wines but DNA evidence in the early 21st century showed that the Italian and Spanish varieties are distinct and not closely related.

The grape is primarily found in the Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) wines of Ischia where it is often blended with Biancolella and other local varieties such as Arilla and San Lunardo.

While Forastera has had a long history of cultivation in the Campanian islands of Ischia and Procida (outlined in red box) , the grape may have originated in the Lombardy province of Bergamo (highlighted) .
A view of the island of Ischia from the island of Procida where Forastera is grown.