| Cépage |
Erbaluce |
| Synonymes |
albaluce, erbalus, bianc roustì, uva rustia, bianchiera. |
| Couleur raisin |
Raisin à pellicule blanche |
| Espèces |
Autochtone |
| Vigueur |
Excellente |
| Maturation |
End of September. |
| Productivité |
Quite irregular, but rarely abundant, although not subject to sanding (at least the undergrowth today more cultivated). |
| Zones de culture |
Diffused mainly in Piedmont in the provinces of Turin, Biella and Vercelli, and reaches its maximum expression in the area of Caluso, Canavese. |
| Histoire |
The origins of Erbaluce are disputed. Arneis and Greco have both been mooted as related varieties, but the genetic link has not been conclusively proven. Even the name of Erbaluce is the subject of some debate, with some saying it is named after the copper color of its bunches in the alpine sun. Others say it is named after the goddess, Albaluce, who was born on a hilltop in Caluso and whose tears prompted Erbaluce vines to spring forth from the ground. |
| Caractéristiques ampélographiques |
Leaf: medium or greater size, five-lobed, with petiole breast closed with superimposed edges, deep upper lateral sinuses, closed lira; Well-marked lower nipples, even in lira, well-spoken, revolutionary lobes; Corner at the top of the sharp lobes; Surface of the wound flap. Top loading green side: glabra on two pages; Green ribs; Uneven, uneven, convex side teeth.
Bunch: Medium, or even slightly larger, cylindrical or cylindrical-conical (20-25 cm in length) with one or two wings; Medium tight; Peduncle rather long, semi-woody; With green pedicels, little noticeable, green; Short, yellowish brush.
Acino: medium or less (about 1 cm in diameter), spheroids (sometimes deformed for compression), yellow-amber color, which sometimes becomes pink on the sun; Peel of medium or more thickness, pruinose, transparent; Prominent navel; Crunchy, not very juicy pulp, of simple, but particular, pleasing flavor. |
| Caractéristiques du vin obtenu à partir de ce cépage |
The sparkling version of Erbaluce, Caluso Spumante, is prized for its fresh and fruity characteristics, backed by strong acidity and subtle minerality. Dry wines from Erbaluce are light bodied and reminiscent of crisp apples. Finally, passito examples (made from semi-dried grapes) are deeply colored with intense peach and almond flavors. |
| Notes |
Resistance to adversity: somewhat susceptible to spring-borne damage (somewhat less sensitive to hailstones); Rather attacked by cryptogamic diseases, especially by ojio (even because of the breeding system); The bunches resist rather than rotting (unless they are affected by the foxes, which are rather subject). |