Glera is a white grape variety deeply rooted in the winemaking tradition of eastern Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Formerly known primarily as Prosecco, it has a long history, with the first documented reference in the Conegliano area dating back to the 18th century; in 2009, the Glera varietal designation was officially distinguished from that of Prosecco wine. It is a vigorous, hardy and highly adaptable variety. The bunch is generally large, pyramidal in shape, often winged and of medium-to-low density, a characteristic that promotes good ventilation of the berries. The medium-sized berries are spherical or slightly elliptical, with a golden-yellow skin and juicy flesh. The leaf is medium to large, pentagonal, generally three- or five-lobed, with a deep green upper surface. Glera is mainly grown in the Veneto provinces of Treviso, Venice, Vicenza, Padua and Belluno, and in the Friuli provinces of Pordenone, Udine, Gorizia and Trieste, with particularly distinctive expressions found in the hills of Conegliano-Valdobbiadene and Asolo. The wines are straw-yellow in colour, sometimes with greenish hues; they are fresh and fragrant, characterised by aromas of apple, pear, peach, citrus, white flowers and wisteria. The structure is generally light and agile, supported by lively acidity and savouriness. The primary use is for sparkling wine production, traditionally involving refermentation in a pressure tank, whilst ageing potential is more evident in the hilltop wines, which are capable of evolving to develop greater aromatic complexity.
