Forastera is a white grape variety deeply rooted in the viticulture of the island of Ischia, where it has been documented since the second half of the nineteenth century. The name, along with its synonyms Forestiera, Furastiera and Frastera, evokes the idea of a ‘foreign’ variety, probably introduced from outside the island during the replanting of vineyards affected by phylloxera. Today, it is one of the grape varieties most closely associated with the Ischian territory and is also found, albeit to a lesser extent, on Procida, in some coastal areas of Campania and in Sardinia. The leaf is large, ranging from orbicular to reniform in shape, generally five-lobed or three-lobed, with a flat blade and serrated margin. The bunch is medium-sized, loose, cylindrical or pyramidal in shape, sometimes with a wing; the berry is medium-sized, ellipsoidal, with a thin, pruinose skin and a yellowish-green colour. When vinified, it produces a wine with a pale, luminous straw-yellow colour, featuring delicate aromas of white fruit, flowers, herbs and Mediterranean notes. On the palate, it is characterised by freshness, balance, good drinkability and a light to medium structure, sometimes enhanced by a pleasant length. It is particularly well-suited to vinification in stainless steel tanks and short periods of ageing on fine lees, which enhance its body and complexity. It can be bottled as a single-varietal wine or blended with Biancolella to produce Ischia DOC wines.
