Riesling Italico

Grape variety	Riesling Italico
Synonyms	Rismi, Risli, Welschriesling, Laški Rizling.
Grape colour	White grape
History	Riesling Italico, commonly known as Welschriesling, is a grape variety that is believed to have its roots in France before spreading across Central Europe into Germany and further afield. The name 'Welschriesling' translates to 'foreign Riesling', highlighting its difference from the original Rhine Riesling. Its introduction to Italy is said to have occurred in the post-phylloxera era, arriving no earlier than the 1900s. It is believed the grape was brought into the northeastern regions of Italy during the Austro-Hungarian rule, originating from what is now the Czech Republic. Despite sharing a name, Riesling Italico and Rhine Riesling are distinctly different in terms of ampelographic features and the resulting wine characteristics.
Ampelographic features	The Riesling Italico has a medium-sized leaf, either long or broad, mostly whole or trifoliate, rarely exhibiting five lobes. The leaf's upper surface is light green with a smooth, slightly metallic sheen. The underside is gray-green, covered in web-like tomentum. As the season progresses, the leaf margins may take on a yellowish hue. The grape cluster is small, cylindrical and compact, often winged. The grapes are medium to small, spheroid in shape, of a greenish-yellow hue, covered in bloom. The skin is thin but firm, and the pulp is juicy with a simple, sweet flavor.
Characteristics of the wine	The wine produced from the Riesling Italico grape variety is typically straw yellow in color, often featuring greenish highlights. When tasted, it typically presents a fruity and mineral profile, with a refreshing quality. It's more approachable compared to the more aristocratic tones of Rhine Riesling.