Bombino Bianco
| Variety Passport | |
| Country of origin: | Italy |
| Variety number VIVC: | 1533 |
| Prime name: | Bombino Bianco |
| Principal Synonyms: | Buonvino, Butta Palmento, Cola Tamburo |
| Species: | Vitis vinifera |
| Ripening period: | Late |
| Classification and Use: | Wine, Dry Table Wines, Juice Production |
| Resistance group: | Moderately resistant |
| Data Sources: | Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC), Ampelografia Italiana (1879) |
| Agrobiology | |
| Vigor: | vigorous |
| Flower type: | hermaphrodite |
| Powdery mildew susceptibility: | 4 points (highly susceptible) |
| Botrytis susceptibility: | 2 points (resistant) |
| Winter hardiness: | Non-hardy (-15...-17°C) |
| Pruning length: | short, 2-4 buds |
| Clusters and berries | |
| Bunch shape: | conical |
| Bunch density: | medium |
| Berry shape: | rounded |
| Berry skin color: | white |
| Seed development: | seeded |
| Flesh texture: | juicy |
| Berry skin thickness: | Thick |
| Sugar content: | 18-22% |
| Total acidity: | 5,0-5,4 g/l |
| Berry Flesh Color: | Non-colored |
| Flavor type: | Neutral |
| Ampelographic overview |
Main characteristics of Bombino Bianco grape
The Bombino Bianco variety belongs to the group of high-yielding white grape varieties of the Southern Adriatic region of Italy. Historical data on its exact breeding origin are missing, but the popular name is associated with the shape of the bunch, resembling a child with small branch-like lobes spread out to the sides. The Bombino Bianco variety is characterized by a late budburst period, late flowering, and a late ripening period. Under the flat conditions of Sansevero (Capitanata province), the Bombino Bianco grape variety demonstrates exceptional, maximum productivity, surpassing other local varieties and reaching yields of up to 150 hectoliters per hectare. The purpose of the variety is technical — for winemaking needs.
Morphological description of the Bombino Bianco grape variety
Morphological features of the vegetative and generative organs of the variety based on the original ampelographic description:
- Young shoot (apex): The tip of the young shoot has a distinct cotton-like (cobwebby) pubescence, the edges of the young leaves are colored in a light pinkish tint.
- Tendrils: Develop frequently, are characterized by high strength, and are split in structure.
- Formed leaf: Leaves are of medium size, dense in consistency, but soft to the touch. The upper side of the leaf blade is smooth, light green in color, with weak waviness and slight wrinkling; in the autumn period, it acquires a light reddish tint. The lower side of the leaf is covered with a whitish felt-like pubescence. The leaf has five regular, clearly defined lobes with an elongated central lobe. The sinuses are shallow, elliptical, and closed. The petiolar sinus is also completely closed. The teeth on the edges of the lobes are rare, large, and sharp. The leaf venation stands out in relief on the lower side, anthocyanin coloration in the center of the veins is absent. The petiole is thick, yellowish-green in color, and almost equal in length to the central vein. Leaf fall occurs late.
- Bunch: Very large in size, long, conical to pyramidal in shape, has developed lobes (winged). The bunch density is moderate, semi-loose. The axis of the bunch (rachis) is strong, has no specific color, and is sometimes flattened. The bunch petiole is strong and of medium length. The berry stems are short and green.
- Berry: Berries are of medium size, perfectly round in shape. The skin is thick, strong, yellowish-green in color, and covered with a weak waxy bloom (pruina). The pulp is soft, melting, and very juicy.
- Seeds: Usually two seeds are formed inside the berry.
Agrotechnical features of the Bombino Bianco variety
During cultivation, the Bombino Bianco variety demonstrates a very large vigor of growth and forms spreading, dense bushes. Due to the late start of vegetation, the Bombino Bianco grape variety possesses some resistance to early spring frosts, but under unfavorable conditions, the shoots can be damaged by frost splashes. Bombino Bianco grape prefers clay-limestone soil types but also actively grows on flat areas. The traditional method of vine training is the low-stem cup-shaped system (alberello) without permanent supports. In some farms, a specific tying to a central support installed at the intersection of the diagonals of the planting square is used, where barren vines are tied in late spring. Exceptionally short pruning of fruit canes is recommended. The flowering process proceeds stably, no shedding of ovaries is observed, and the Bombino Bianco grape variety guarantees an annual and abundant harvest. Resistance to powdery mildew (oidium) is rated as weak, which requires timely sulfur treatments. At the same time, the thick skin of the berries provides high resistance of the crop to grey rot damage even under autumn humidity conditions.
Winemaking and features of the finished product
Technical conditions of the Bombino Bianco variety must show an average sugar accumulation of 18% to 22% with a rather low titratable acidity of 5.0–5.4 g/l. The pulp of the berries gives an abundant juice yield, which has a very light, clear shade. In solo performance, the Bombino Bianco grape gives light, weakly colored white wines with a simple, flat, and rather dull flavor profile, lacking high aging potential. According to winemakers, monovarietal wine is of low quality due to the lack of extractives and tannins. The main enological application of the Bombino Bianco variety is the production of wine material for blending with more tannic and aromatic grape varieties in order to reduce their harshness. Due to its clean profile, juice clarity, and neutrality, the wine material from Bombino Bianco serves as an ideal base for the commercial production of vermouths.