Trebbiano (treb-ee-AHN-o)

The name given to a whole group of different varieties that share large clusters and mostly vigorous growth. Varieties called trebbiano this or trebbiano that are among the most prolific vines in the world, yielding millions of gallons of neutral, bland wine yearly. Grown principally in Italy (where it is listed as one of the permissible grapes in more than 80 DOCs). There is a trebbiano in Abruzzi, a trebbiano in Lazio, a trebbiano in Emilia Romagna, a trebbiano in Umbria, and a trebbiano in Tuscany and, genetically, they are all different varieties. (In Italy, so-called trebbiano is also part of the blend that makes up the popular wine Soave, though that trebbiano is actually the better-quality grape, verdicchio bianco). In France, trebbiano Toscano is also known as ugni blanc and the grape is used in distillation to make both Cognac and Armagnac. Trebbiano Modenese (another variety with trebbiano in its name) is the main grape in the top balsamic vinegars of Emilia Romagna.