Verdone Bianco
| Variety Passport | |
| Country of origin: | Italy |
| Variety number VIVC: | 25001 |
| Prime name: | Verdone Bianco |
| Principal Synonyms: | Verdone, Melantoneca, Sorvigno, Livido, Leverone |
| Species: | Vitis vinifera |
| Ripening period: | Mid-season |
| Classification and Use: | Wine, Dry Table Wines |
| Resistance group: | Susceptible |
| Data Sources: | Vitis International Variety Catalogue (VIVC), Ampelografia Italiana (1879) |
| Agrobiology | |
| Vigor: | vigorous |
| Downy mildew susceptibility: | 4 points (highly susceptible) |
| Powdery mildew susceptibility: | 4 points (highly susceptible) |
| Winter hardiness: | Non-hardy (-15...-17°C) |
| Pruning length: | short, 2-4 buds |
| Clusters and berries | |
| Bunch shape: | conical, winged |
| Bunch density: | dense |
| Berry shape: | rounded |
| Berry skin color: | white |
| Seed development: | seeded |
| Flesh texture: | fleshy |
| Berry skin thickness: | Thin |
| Berry skin texture: | tender |
| Sugar content: | 22,68% |
| Total acidity: | 5,2 g/l |
| Berry Flesh Color: | Non-colored |
| Flavor type: | Neutral |
| Ampelographic overview |
Key Characteristics
Verdone Bianco is an ancient white technical grape variety belonging to the Vitis vinifera species. The historical cultivation area of this vine is located in the southern regions of Italy, where it is distributed in minor quantities across the communes of the Bari and Avellino provinces. This real grape variety should not be confused with similar Italian varieties such as Verdeca or Verdea, which possess smaller berry dimensions. The reviewed viticultural plant is intended exclusively for winemaking. The ripening period is medium, with harvest maturity achieved in the first decade of October within its native habitat. The yield capacity is characterized by reliability and moderate abundance. Clusters are pyramidal in shape, dense, while the berries are large, round, and greenish-yellow. Technological must attributes are high, with average sugar accumulation reaching 22.68% and titratable acidity of the juice standing at 5.2 g/l.
Morphological Description
Для идентификации сорта составлено детальное описание характерных для сорта Вердоне Бьянко морфологических признаков:
- Canes (woody shoots): Mature canes are smooth, lacking specific bark pigmentation, and are characterized by a thickened structure and high hardness during pruning operations. The internodes are of medium length. The nodes are weakly defined and slightly thickened. The vegetative buds are glabrous and slightly prominent above the shoot axis. Defoliation occurs early in the autumn season.
- Herbaceous part (young shoots and leaves): Budburst is early. The young green shoot is covered with tomentose cottony pubescence, displaying a whitish-yellow tint with characteristic red apices. The tendrils are formed frequently, possess high strength, and are morphologically bifid. The bushes display high vigor, with shoots developing in a dense, bushy pattern.
- Mature leaf: The leaves are medium-sized, three-lobed, with the lobes being elongated at the apices. The upper surface of the leaf blade exhibits a regular green color (turning intensely yellow in autumn), feels rough, slightly wavy, and is glabrous. The lower surface is covered with dense, whitish tomentose pubescence and feels soft. The lateral sinuses are shallow, narrow, and open at the margins. The petiole sinus is conical and open. The marginal serration is small, deep, and sharply acute, with even edges lacking hooked tips. The veins are weakly prominent, with low relief. The petiole is short, thick, green, and displays a faint pinkish tint.
- Cluster and berry: The developed cluster is pyramidal in shape, dense in structure, moderately long, and thick at the base. Clusters are consistently equipped with a distinct upper branch (wing). The primary peduncle is short and firm. The pedicels are short and dark green. The berries are large and regular round in shape. The skin is shiny, thin, delicate in texture, greenish-yellow, and resistant to rapid decay. The pulp is quite dense and fleshy. The juice is clear, and the flavor profile is simple, sweet, with a faint varietal aroma. Each berry contains 2 to 3 small, striated seeds.
Agricultural Characteristics
The Verdone Bianco variety demonstrates high vegetative vigor, forms dense, bushy shoots, and adapts easily to diverse growing conditions. The vine can successfully vegetate both in low-lying plains and at significant elevations above sea level. Calcareous soils on open, sunny exposures are optimal for obtaining high-quality yields. The plants demonstrate low resistance to the fungal disease powdery mildew (oidium) and spring radiation frosts, meaning the grape variety Verdone Bianco requires timely protective treatments. Flowering occurs within early calendar terms, fruit drop is not observed, and berry set proceeds easily. The vine responds favorably to short pruning of fruiting canes. The bushes are suitable for management both in the traditional form of a low bush (albarello) without artificial supports, and tied to high vertical stakes exceeding two meters in height. Data regarding plant resistance to downy mildew, botrytis, and root phylloxera are absent in the archival source text.