The Ansonica grape variety holds a dual significance in the Italian wine context, with a focus on one hand in Tuscany, where it has retained its ancient Norman name Ansonica, and on the other hand in Sicily, where since Roman times (Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historia mentions a grape called Irsolia) it has been referred to as Inzolia, and where there is also a black grape variety of the same name, Inzolia nera. One hypothesis suggests that Ansonica is the oldest white grape variety in Sicily, which then spread from the island to Sardinia, Calabria (in the Bivongi area), Lazio, and Tuscany, particularly on Elba Island, Giglio Island, and the Argentario Coast. Others believe it to be a grape variety originating from France, imported to Sicily by the Normans.

In all production regions, Ansonica is increasingly seen as a dry and fresh white wine, both in blends and as varietal wines. Wines from Ansonica are moderately aromatic and tend to present fruity and citrus characters with herbal notes. In Tuscany, Ansonica rivals Vermentino in popularity, often blending with it to give wines a dry tone and good character. Some producers in the region are making more interesting wines, using techniques such as fermenting the grapes on their skins, thanks to Ansonica’s unusually high tannin level for a white grape variety.