Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Simesara
ancient Roman colony after the Second Punic
War. Today, we know that Sirica is not related to
Syrah, while it is apparently related to Agli-
anico, of which Sirica may be a parent or ances-
tor. It is vigorous and late ripening (second half
of October), with medium-sized, compact,
cylindrical-pyramidal bunches and small, black
berries. It makes a very rich, dark red wine with
plenty of plum and smoke fl avors and great tan-
nic structure.
where it's found: Veneto. national regis-
try code number: not registered. color: red.
Also called Cimesara, not much is known
about Simesara, as historical information is
scanty at best. Its name probably derives from
sìmese orcimice (fl ea), much like other cultivars
named after insects apparently fond of them
(for example, the wasps of Vespaiola). It was
fi rst mentioned by Acerbi (1825), but its wine-
making potential must not have attracted a lot
of admirers for neither Montanari and Cecca-
relli (1950) nor Cosmo (1962) recommended its
cultivation. In the 1970s, the Istituto Sperimen-
tale per la Viticoltura di Conegliano set up two
experimental vineyards planted with, among
many other native varieties, Simesara, in an
effort to preserve the genetic material of this
variety (Costacurta, Cancellier, Angelini,
Segattini, and Farina 1980). The bunch is large
and pyramidal, the berries medium-large and
elliptical, and the wine not particularly interest-
ing, with weak, herbal aromas and fl avors. It is
currently not included in the makeup of any
DOC wine, and has been abandoned for the
most part due to its irregular and scarce yields.
Suppezza
where it's found: Campania. national reg-
istry code number: not registered. color:
red.
This variety apparently takes its name from
an estate on the grounds of which it was discov-
ered. Suppezza is grown only along the Sor-
rento coast, near Gragnano, Pimonte, Lettere,
and Castellamare di Stabia. It has a small, con-
ical-pyramidal bunch and round berries and is
very vigorous and productive. It is used in the
blends of the DOC Penisola Sorrentina (Lettere
and Gragnano).
Tamurro Nero
where it's found: Basilicata. national reg-
istry code number: not registered. color:
red.
A rare grape that was probably introduced
into Italy from France under the rule of Duke
Filiberto di Savoia, who did not appreciate the
high alcohol and structure of aglianico,
Tamurro Nero was originally known as Coll
d'Tamurr. Today the only estate that bottles a
pure monovarietal version is Tenuta Le Querce,
though I fail to see why others haven't gotten
into the act. It certainly would have helped this
cultivar's and wine's notoriety.
Sirica
where it's found: Campania. national reg-
istry code number: not registered. color:
red.
One of the oldest-known varieties in Italy,
Sirica has recently been rediscovered in the
Taurasi area near Avellino: the Feudi di San
Gregorio estate found four old vines (from 250
to 280 years of age) on its estate and they are
now the subject of university studies by Attilio
Scienza and his team in Milan. In 75 B . C . E . Pliny
the Elder believed Sirica to be of Greek origin
and thought its name derived from syricum, a
red coloring agent imported from Syria), while
Isidoro felt the grape itself was of Syrian origin.
Scienza believes that its name derives from the
city of Siri in Basilicata, which became an
Termarina Nera
where it's found: Emilia-Romagna. national
registry code number: 395. color: red.
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