Schiava is an Italian name used to refer to several grape varieties common to the Trentino and Alto Adige regions of northern Italy. It is not unusual for a group of unrelated vine varieties to bear the same name; evidence of this is easily found in relation to the various ‘Malvasia’ and ‘Muscat’ vines that are found all around the Mediterranean, and even the interesting case of the four Bonarda varieties.
Naturally, for a variety grown at the junction between the French, Italian and Germanic parts of Europe, Schiava vines have several synonyms, further complicating an already confusing name. These are based mostly on the Germanic name vernatsch (meaning vernacular, and similar to Vernaccia), giving rise to Grauvernatsch (Schiava Grigia), Kleinvernatsch (Schiava Gentile) and Grossvernatsch (Schiava Grossa). Other synonyms include Frankenthaler Blau, Koelner Blau and Trollinger.
Most grapevine authorities indicate 'slave' as the translation of Schiava, in the sense of 'Slavic' rather than 'enslaved'. Based on this assumption, the grape is thought to be of Slavic origin, working on the etymological principal established by such names as Croatina, Greco and Calabrese.
Schiava's most notable use is as the key grape of the Santa Maddalena DOC, where it makes light-bodied, simple wines with fresh acidity.
Synonyms include: Grauvernatsch, Kleinvernatsch, Grossvernatsch, Schiava Grigia, Schiava Gentile, Schiava Grossa, Frankenthaler Blau, Koelner Blau, Trollinger.
Food matches include:
Europe: Tirolese canederli (traditional Alto Adige dumpling soup with speck)
