Lazio adds five new indigenous grape varieties to regional protection

The Lazio region has added five new indigenous grape varieties to its Voluntary Regional Register, bringing the total number of protected local varieties to 52. This initiative aims to safeguard native genetic resources at risk of erosion.

The new varieties include Roncetto and Veciò, both red grapes found in the Monti Lucretili Natural Regional Park; Frabotta, a white grape from the Valle di Comino and Cassinate areas; Tagliaferro, located in the Sabina Romana and Aniene valley; and Mostaccina, identified in Olevano Romano. Of the 52 protected varieties, 49 are intended for wine production and three are for table grapes.

The registration follows field surveys conducted by CREA between 2020 and 2022 as part of the ‘Biotices. Alle radici del Cesanese’ project. Regional Agriculture Councilor Giancarlo Righini stated that protecting these varieties is an investment in the identity and future of Lazio's agriculture, while ARSIAL President Massimiliano Raffa noted that recovering local varieties can strengthen the link between agricultural production and the territory.