Capolongo is an ancient white grape variety from southern Lazio, particularly associated with the Liri Valley and the Frosinone area. Its origins are not precisely documented, but its cultivation has been recorded since at least the 19th century, when it was already mentioned amongst the grape varieties of the province of Terra di Lavoro. Rediscovered and promoted in recent decades, it was included in the National Register of Wine Grape Varieties between the late 2000s and the early 2010s.
The vine has medium vigour and thrives on well-exposed hillsides, adapting well to calcareous and clayey soils. The leaf is medium-sized, pentagonal and generally five-lobed, with a green upper surface and a slightly downy underside. The bunch is of medium size, cylindrical, compact and often has one or more wings; the berries are large, rounded, with a golden-yellow, pruinose skin. In the past, the vines were trained against elm trees or supported by testucchio, a traditional practice still seen in some old vineyards.
Grown mainly in Arce, Colle San Magno, Alatri and other municipalities in the Frusinate area, Capolongo falls within the Frusinate IGT designation. The wine has an intense straw-yellow or golden colour, fruity aromas with floral, citrus and spicy notes, lively acidity and a robust body. Its structure favours its development during ageing, particularly in single-varietal wines and those undergoing more complex maceration processes.
