It’s not typically that we cease to consider the roots of grape names. (After we’re locked right into a heaping plate of pasta and tall pour of Chianti, we’re not taking the time to ponder the truth that Sangiovese interprets to “Blood of Jove.”)
Within the huge world of wine, it’s laborious sufficient to maintain observe of the grapes in every bottle, so we are likely to take the names of grape varieties at face worth and never query their meanings (particularly since they’re virtually at all times in a overseas language or historical dialect). However digging deeper into grape titles can reveal quite a bit a couple of area’s tradition and historical past, which is without doubt one of the greatest components of studying about wine.
Sure varieties are named after native cities, which is frequent with the grapes of France, like Chardonnay. Others are named after their look, just like the small, inexperienced Grillo from Sicily that interprets to “cricket” or Coda di Volpe from Campania, which grows in bunches that seem like a fox’s tail. Others are named after how they style: Xinomavro, the darkish, acidic purple selection from Greece, interprets to “bitter black,” and Freisa, the juicy, purple fruit-forward grape from northern Italy means “strawberry” in an area dialect. The nomenclature may even reference the vine’s rising patterns, just like the Spanish Tempranillo, which suggests “early” as a sign of the grape’s tendency to ripen early within the season.
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A few of these examples are extra attention-grabbing than others, however there are a couple of which might be downright unhinged. Learn on to find among the grape names with surprisingly unusual meanings.
Arneis
In Piedmont, a area of highly effective purple wines, Arneis stands out as one of many space’s uncommon white grapes. With such a powerful concentrate on the distinguished wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, Arneis almost went extinct within the Nineteen Sixties, however it’s at the moment staging a return. One cause the grape could have fallen out of favor is that it’s notoriously troublesome to develop. Arneis’s finicky nature is definitely what earned it its identify, which suggests “little rascal” in Piedmontese.
Baratuciat
Far and away the weirdest grape identify we’ve come throughout, Baratuciat is a uncommon selection from northern Italy whose identify interprets to “cat testicles.” This peculiar comparability may be attributed to the distinct oval form and shade of the grapes. Don’t let this disturbing reality discourage you from attempting wines made out of this grape, although. It’s splendidly expressive and may be made into attention-grabbing white or skin-contact wines. Azienda Agricola Summer time Wolff Ette, a wine made out of Baratuciat, was even included on VinePair’s checklist of The Greatest Orange Wines for 2024. It provides shiny aromatics of ginger and inexperienced tea and a refreshing palate with citrus and orchard fruit notes.
Bastardo
French wine lovers may be conversant in this light-bodied purple grape by the identify Trousseau, because it’s recognized within the nation’s Jura area. In Spain the grape goes by Merenzoa and in Portugal it’s known as Bastardo. It’s not precisely clear how or why the grape adopted this new, provocative identify when it crossed borders, however you’ll actually see some raised eyebrows for those who ever declare you’re having fun with a scrumptious glass of Bastardo.
Pagadebit
Bambino Bianco is grown throughout Italy, referred to as a vigorous, dependable grape that may ship giant portions. This earned it the nickname Pagadebit within the Emilia-Romagna area, a phrase that interprets to “pay the debt” in Italian, referencing its potential to at all times produce and pay the payments even in robust vintages.
Picpoul
Well-known for its position within the Picpoul de Pinet wines from the south of France, this grape is known as for its searing acidity and tart citrus flavors. The time period Picpoul roughly interprets to “lip stinger” or “to sting the lip,” warning drinkers of the wine’s depth.
*Picture retrieved from caftor through inventory.adobe.com
