Drupeggio, also known as Canaiolo Bianco, is an ancient white grape variety from central Italy, traditionally associated with Tuscany and Umbria. Its presence in the Orvieto area is documented by local wine-growing tradition, where the name Drupeggio refers to a variety historically used in the blends for Orvieto wine; Canaiolo Bianco was first mentioned in Tuscany as early as 1817. The leaf is medium-sized, generally orbicular or pentagonal, trilobed or quinquelobed, with a slightly undulating surface and pronounced serrations. The bunch is medium-sized, short, pyramid-shaped, with one or two wings, and moderately compact. The berries, which are small to medium in size and spherical, have a thick, pruinose skin, ranging in colour from greenish-white to yellow-green, and juicy flesh with a neutral flavour. Cultivation is concentrated mainly in the hills around Orvieto and in certain areas of Tuscany, with some presence also in Lazio. When vinified as a single-varietal wine, it produces a straw-yellow wine with a delicate profile, featuring floral and fruity notes, accompanied by freshness, savouriness and a balanced structure. Its most significant contribution, however, is in blends, where it enhances the wine’s harmonious flavour profile and liveliness. In traditional Orvieto, it is blended with Trebbiano Toscano, Grechetto, Verdello and Malvasia, contributing to the appellation’s distinctive territorial identity.
