🍇 Italia

Italia is a white table grape with a Muscat flavor. According to the VIVC catalog, it was bred by Alberto Pirovano in 1911 by crossing Bicane with Muscat of Hamburg; the parentage is confirmed by DNA markers. The EU specification of the Uva da tavola di Canicattì PGI gives the same cross and another name of the variety, Pirovano 65.

VIVC lists the variety as suitable for both table and wine, with a Muscat flavor, seeds and hermaphrodite flowers. The catalog gives 30 synonyms, among them Italian Muscat, Muscat d'Italie, Italia bianca, Ideal and Pirovano 65. The variety is entered in the European catalog of varieties, and samples are kept by 62 institutions in different countries.

In Apulia, Italia is one of five table grape varieties covered by the Uva di Puglia PGI, alongside Regina, Victoria, Michele Palieri and Red Globe. According to the EU single document, Italia, Regina and Victoria grapes are a clear pale yellow; Italia berries must be at least 22 mm across and the juice at least 14 °Brix. The zone covers the land of the provinces of Bari, Barletta-Andria-Trani, Brindisi, Foggia, Taranto and Lecce lying below 330 m above sea level.

In Sicily, the Uva da tavola di Canicattì PGI covers this variety alone: Italia grapes from municipalities in the provinces of Agrigento and Caltanissetta. Its specification describes crisp, pulpy, sweet berries with a delicate musky aroma and skin from light yellow to golden straw yellow.

Why it matters to you. Italia is the name of a grape variety, not of a country: it is one specific table grape, not just any Italian vine. The Uva di Puglia PGI mark shows grapes from Apulia, but not that they are this variety, since five varieties fall under the PGI.