Rossola nera

Rossola nera is a red Italian wine grape variety that has been growing in the Valtellina region of Lombardy since at least the 17th century. In 2004 DNA profiling determined that the grape has a parent-offspring relationship with the Piedmont wine grape Nebbiolo though which variety is the parent and which is the offspring is not yet clear. However, most ampelographers believe that Nebbiolo is likely the parent variety since written records in Piedmont have noted Nebbiolo being grown since at least the 13th century.

An early 17th century Latin text list Rossola nera, under the synonym Rossoladure, as one of the grape varieties growing in Valtellina. The grape's name Rossola derives from the Italian word rosso and refers to the reddish-pink color that the grape berries become after veraison. Several grape varieties have rosso in their primary names or synonyms and over the years Rossola nera has been confused for Rossara Trentina, Rossignola and Rossolino nero. In 2001, DNA analysis would show that Rossola nera was a likely parent variety for Rossolino nero.

In 2004, DNA evidence suggested that Rossola nera and Nebbiolo, the grape behind the notable Italian wines Barolo and Barbaresco, have a parent-offspring relationship. With Nebbiolo's long recorded history of being cultivated in the Piedmont region since at least the 12th century, wine historians and ampelographers largely believe that Rossola nera is likely the offspring in that relationship.

Through its parent-offspring relationship with Nebbiolo, Rossola nera is a half-sibling of several Piemontese wine grape varieties including: Vespolina, Brugnola, Bubbierasco, Nebbiolo rosé, Negretta, Neretto di Bairo and Freisa.

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