Fiano (grape)

Fiano is a white Italian wine grape variety that is grown primarily in the Campania region of southern Italy and on the island of Sicily. In Campania, this variety is part of the mix for the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) wine Fiano di Avellino. On Sicily, it is used in the DOC wines of Etna where it can be blended with the white wine grape Carricante.

History

The grape has a long history in the Campania region and was thought to have been the grape behind the Roman wine Apianum. Even today, bees are attracted to sugary pulp of Fiano grapes and are a prevalent sight in the vineyards around Avellino.

Viticulture

Fiano is a high yielding vine that tends to bud early and ripen late. This long ripening period often allows the grape to develop high sugar levels which makes Fiano an ideal grape for dessert wines. While it has a tendency to produce wines with low acidity, many winemakers try to pick Fiano early to maintain some of the grape's natural acidity.

Wine regions

While Fiano is most associated with Campania, it is also grown in several other regions in Italy. In the Marche region, the grape is known as Fiano Piceno. In Sardinia, Fiano is grown in the province of Cagliari under the name Fiano Sardo. In Sicily, Fiano is grown in the Etna region under the name Fiano Siciliano.

Styles

Fiano wines often have strong notes of honey and spice, making them somewhat unique among Italian white wines. The wines also often have nutty notes along with citrus and pear flavors. Fiano wines have the potential to age and develop more complex nutty flavors over time.

Food pairing

Fiano wines are versatile and pair well with a variety of foods. They are particularly well-suited to seafood dishes, but can also be paired with poultry and pork. The wine's honey and spice notes also make it a good match for spicy Asian cuisine.

See also

• List of Italian grape varieties
• Italian wine