Fiano

Fiano refers to a variety of a white wine grape type grown in southern Italy. Fiano grows typically in the region of Campania, although it also is cultivated in Sicily. In the region where the grape type is dominant, the wines crafted are strong white wines. Fiano is said to have been used in Rome and has a rich history in the region. The ancient Roman wine Apianum is said to have been crafted from the Fiano grape, and some wine bottles today feature the term “Apianum” on the label. Fiano is labeled as a classic grape variety of the region and the variety may have even been grown by the Greeks. The Fiano variety is typically small in size and has thick skin, thus producing a little bit of juice. Since the vines do not produce high yields, the variety is not seen as a very economical vine to grow. For the last several centuries, the variety has been on a decline; however, more wine growers in the region have invested in modern winemaking. This has resulted in an interest to revive some classic grape types that are native to the region. The Fiano grape has also been cultivated in Australia and Argentina.