Greco (grape)

[1] The ancestor of the Greco vine may have been brought to southern Italy more than 2,500 years ago by ancient Greek settlers.

Historians and Italian growers have speculated that the grape may have been a blending component in the ancient Roman "cult wines" of Falernian and Aminean.

[2][3] As the grape vine has propagated throughout Italy, the name "Greco" has been ascribed to several varieties that may have historically been linked to Greece.

The wartime devastation of vineyards as well as the mass migration of Italian vine growers from agriculture to urban industries in the cities and abroad, ushered in a period of general decline for viticulture in the region.

[5] In the early 21st century, DNA profiling confirmed that some plantings in Italy described as "Greco" are genetically identical to the grape variety Asprinio.

[6][7] The Greco bianco vine tends to mature very late in the grapevine's growing season and is prone to the viticultural hazards of downy and powdery mildew.

[2] There are two DOCG regions that Greco plays a primary role in; however, the grape variety is a permitted component in several DOCs in southern Italy.

The vineyard soils of the region are derived from tuff, a rock formed from volcanic ash—after which the town of Tufo itself is named.

This is a dessert-style wine made from partially dried grapes that must maintain a minimum alcohol level of 17%.

During the Greek colonization of southern Italy, Greek settlers brought with them new grape varieties, perhaps including the ancestor vine of Greco.
The Campania region of Italy, where the Greco di Tufo DOCG is produced
Greco is often blended with Malvasia (pictured).
Provinces of Calabria in the "toe" of Italy. It is where most of the Greco nero variety is planted.