red grape · rare
Vespolina
Novara and Vercelli provinces, Piedmont, Italy
Say it
ves·poh·lee·nah
Named for vespa (wasp); wasps are drawn to the ripe, sweet clusters
On the palate
white pepperraspberryred cherryvioletclovepomegranate
How you spot it blind: highest rotundone concentration of any Italian grape, producing vivid peppercorn spice
The story
First written down · 1798, Novara and Vercelli provinces, Piedmont (Count Nuvolone)
A 2020 SNP-marker study (PMC7519648) confirmed Vespolina is a child of Nebbiolo crossed with Coccalona nera — reversing older claims that Vespolina was a Nebbiolo parent — and a full sibling to Freisa.
Family tree: NEBBIOLO × COCCALONA NERA
Where it lives
Alto Piemonte (Novara, Vercelli, Biella provinces), Piedmont · Oltrepò Pavese, Lombardy
Shows up as
still redroséColline Novaresi DOCBoca DOCGhemme DOCGGattinara DOCGFara DOCSizzano DOCCoste della Sesia DOC