Rossa di Bitonto

Key Characteristics

Rossa di Bitonto is a southern grape variety belonging to the Vitis vinifera species. The primary historical cultivation area of this vine is concentrated in Southern Italy, within the province of Bari (Apulia). The exact origin of the vine is not definitively established, yet morphological characteristics strongly suggest its historical introduction from Greece or the islands of the Aegean archipelago. The reviewed grape variety is predominantly utilized as a table grape for fresh consumption, which is attributed to its high gustatory qualities, attractive cluster appearance, and low susceptibility to decay. The ripening period is early, with the harvest taking place during the initial period of the autumn season. The productivity of the plants is high and regular. Clusters are large, moderately short, conical, and loose in density; the berries are large, round, and light red with a fleshy pulp structure. The sugar content of the pressed must varies within the range of 19–22.60%, while the titratable acidity stands at 6.1–6.6 g/l, ensuring a balanced, refreshing flavor profile.

Morphological Description

Для идентификации сорта составлено детальное описание характерных для сорта Росса ди Битонто морфологических признаков:

• Canes (woody shoots): The mature shoots are thin in structure, displaying shallow longitudinal striations. The bark surface exhibits a yellowish tint. The internodes are characterized by medium length. The vegetative buds are large and strongly prominent above the cane surface.
• Herbaceous part (young shoots and leaves): Budburst occurs within medium calendar terms. The developing young shoot features light cottony pubescence. The tendrils are formed frequently, possess high strength, and are either bifid or trifid in structure.
• Mature leaf: The leaves are large, with a firm, leathery texture and a smooth, practically flat upper surface. The color of the leaf blade is an intensive dark green, and in autumn, defoliation occurs simultaneously with the majority of other varieties. The lower surface of the leaf displays a lighter shade with sparse pubescence. The leaf is divided into three or five regular lobes, with the central lobe being only slightly elongated. The lateral sinuses are elliptical and open. The petiole sinus is elliptical at the base and open. The marginal teeth are large, sparse, irregular in shape, combining acute and obtuse apices with a shallow depth of incision. The primary veins are prominent on the lower side of the blade. The petiole is thick, intensely green, and shorter than the central vein of the leaf.
• Cluster and berry: The developed cluster is large, short in length, conical in shape, and possesses a free, loose arrangement of berries. A small wing is frequently observed in the upper section of the cluster. The central peduncle is herbaceous and lacks any distinct specific coloration. The cluster stem (peduncle) is firm and elongated. The pedicels are short and green. The berries are large and regular round in shape. The skin is thin, firm, light red, and covered with a uniform layer of waxy bloom (pruine). The pulp is dense and fleshy. The seeds are regular in shape, numbering 2–3 per individual berry.

Agricultural Characteristics

The Rossa di Bitonto variety demonstrates high vegetative vigor and forms spreading herbaceous shoots. The plants exhibit excellent adaptation to the arid southern climate and shallow soils. The most preferred soils for cultivation are calcareous-clayey matrices with a high content of the limestone component. The grape variety Rossa di Bitonto possesses strong resistance to spring radiation frosts and the fungal disease powdery mildew (oidium). Flowering occurs within medium terms, fruit drop is not observed, and berry set is high. The vine responds favorably to long pruning of fruiting canes, though it can withstand short pruning as well. When grown in dedicated vineyards, the bushes are trained as a low bush (albarello) without the application of artificial trellis structures. The plants are also well-suited for management on low domestic pergolas; with this method of training, the overall yield per vine increases significantly. Specific data regarding the resistance of the vine to downy mildew, botrytis, and root phylloxera are absent in the historical archival document.