Geographical distribution
Grown only in the province of Bergamo.
History and origin
A varietal with mysterious ancient origins. It was probably the Romans who brought the grapes to the hills of the Scanzo area (Lottieri, 1850). It is first documented by Baioni (1789). In the area where it is typically grown, the municipality of Scanzorosciate (Bg), at the start of the Calepio valley, it was already present in the mid-fourteenth century (Calvi, 1940). In 1820 Giovanni Maironi da Ponte mentions the “famous Moscato di Scanzo, renowned far and wide”. It was not included in the national catalogue of wine grape varietals until 1981.
Phenological properties
Budding: early to average
Ripening: average to late
Growing traits and productive aptitudes
Vigour: high
Fertility and production: low bud fertility, even for the lower buds. Discrete but inconsistent production.
Grapes and bunches when ripe: average-sized, rather loosely packed, winged bunches with an elongated pyramid shape. Regularly distributed oval-shaped grapes of average size, with a regular round cross section and a bluish-black pruinose skin.
Sensitivity to adversity and disease: rather sensitive to peronospora and various forms of rot, particularly botrytis, because of its extremely thin skin. No particular problems with powdery mildew. Sensitive to rachis drying, and to magnesium and potassium insufficiency.
Training and pruning: may be adapted to medium to high density guyot-type training.
Properties of the wine
Used exclusively to make raisin wines, it is harvested late and then further dried in a temperature-controlled environment. A typical dessert wine, it is initially ruby red in colour with garnet highlights that tend toward amber and finally turn amber with ageing. Very rich bouquet with an intense, very persistent fragrance of rose and almond. Harmonious, fresh and velvety, very elegant on the palate.
Denominations in which the varietal is present
DOCG
Lombardy:
– Scanzo or Moscato di Scanzo DOCG
DOC
Lombardy:
– Valcalepio Moscato Passito DOC
IGT
Lombardy:
– Bergamasca Moscato IGT
Vitis Rauscedo General Catalogue