The main grape of the Canton of Ticino is Merlot, imported from France for experimental purposes at the beginning of this century, during the post-phylloxera period, in the reconstitution of the cantonal viticultural heritage just destroyed by phylloxera during the last years of the 19. century.
Over the years, the Merlot is well acclimatized to our weather conditions, thanks to the clonal and health selections carried out by the Swiss Federal Research Station for Agricultural Chemistry in the center of Cadenazzo.
Currently Merlot covers about 80% of the planted area in the canton. In addition to Merlot in Ticino are recommended Pinot Noir, more unripe than Merlot (for regions above the 450-500 ms / m., Where the Merlot sometimes does not reach optimum ripeness), the Bondola, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc the Diolinoir, Pinot x Cabernet, Gamaret, the Garanoir and Ancellotta, for white grapes are recommended Chardonnay, Chasselas, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Kerner, Riesling x Sylvaner, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc. Among second-class grape varieties are considered Syrah, Gamay, Freisa and Malbec for the red and the Moscato Bianco, Completer, the Doral, the Charmont and Riesling for white.
In addition, in Ticino are grown American grapes, which are used primarily for the production of grappa, and homegrown red and white grapes. In order of importance in Ticino are grown following grape varieties: Merlot (80% of the total), American red (3.3%), Chardonnay (2.3%), Bondola (1.7%) and Pinot Noir (1, 5%).
Features
- TYPICAL PRODUCTS Wine
