Nosiola is a white grape of Trentino, the only native white variety of the province still grown on any scale. It makes light, dry whites with pear, citrus and a typical hazelnut finish, and dried Nosiola grapes are the base of the rare sweet Vino Santo Trentino.
The name is often linked to nocciola, Italian for hazelnut, because of the nutty note in the wine and the hazel-brown colour of the ripe stems and berries. Nosiola has been grown around Trento for centuries, but plantings fell sharply in the 20th century as growers moved to Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Müller-Thurgau. Today it covers only a small area and is kept alive by a group of committed producers.
In the Valle dei Laghi, the warm Ora del Garda wind blows up from the lake every afternoon. It helps keep the grapes healthy and dries them on racks for Vino Santo.
Dry Nosiola is usually best young and fresh. A few producers ferment it with the skins or in amphora, which gives a deeper colour, more texture and more savoury notes. Vino Santo is very different: amber, sweet and concentrated, with dried apricot, honey, raisin and spice, balanced by high acidity, and it can age for decades.
Start with a dry Trentino Nosiola DOC, then look for a Vino Santo Trentino if you want a rare dessert wine. Producers worth knowing include Pojer e Sandri, Foradori, Cesconi, Pravis, Francesco Poli, Cantina Toblino, La Vis and Endrizzi.
Nosiola shares Trentino with the red Teroldego and with Müller-Thurgau and Chardonnay. Read our best Trentino-Alto Adige wines, the best Italian dessert wines, or browse the grape varieties index.