Ribolla

[ree-BOH-lah] White-wine grape, whose full name is Ribolla Gialla, that is grown in Italy's friuli-venezia giulia in Slovenia, where it's known as Rebula, and in Greece, where it's called Robola. Ribolla's been grown in Friuli since the twelfth century and is thought to be a native of this region, although there's some speculation that it has Greek origins. This variety produces dry, crisp citrus-flavored wines that are medium-bodied and deeply colored. Ribolla will stand some aging, during which time it becomes richer and softer. There's also a red version, Ribolla Nera, more popularly known as schioppettino.