Taste: Generally produces neutral, if refreshing, wines with faint citrus aromas, followed by clean citrus fruit flavors and some almond notes on the finish.
Body: Light
Dry / Sweet: Dry
Acidity: High
Age: Drink as soon as possible (will not age).
Aka: Also known as Ugni Blanc in France.
Other: In Italy it is the main component of Frascati and Orvieto wines.
Description
Trebbiano (treb-BYAH-no) is a grape variety that is impossible to ignore, not because it produces great wine but because it produces so much of it. Some estimates suggest that it produces more wine than any other grape variety.
It originated in central Italy and it will come as no surprise that it is the most widely planted grape variety in its home country. The characteristics that make Trebbiano so popular amongst winemakers are its ability to thrive in most soil types, disease resistance, high yields and high acidity. On the downside, it is neutral with little flavor and consequently makes a great deal of mediocre table wine.
Nonetheless, these wines are refreshing, if simple, with faint citrus aromas, followed by clean citrus fruit flavors and some almond notes on the finish. In the hands of a good producer, with restricted yields, it is capable of making an interesting wine, but these are in limited supply.
Because of its neutral flavor and high acidity Trebbiano is often blended with other grape varieties, such as in the wines of Orvieto, Frascati, and the eccentrically named Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone.
All of these wines should be consumed as soon as possible after release.
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