Red
Vespolina
Also called Ughetta.
A red of the Novara and Vercelli hills in northern Piedmont, blended with Nebbiolo in Gattinara, Ghemme and Boca. It brings a pronounced black pepper note and bright acid, with light colour and moderate tannin. A few producers bottle it alone and it is worth seeking out.
Worth knowing
DNA work has established a parent and offspring relationship with Nebbiolo, and a 2020 study of northwestern Italian varieties points to Vespolina being the offspring. So in Gattinara and Ghemme, Nebbiolo is softened by one of its own children. The pepper character comes through clearly even at the small percentages allowed.
Where it is allowed13 appellations