The Casetta grape is an indigenous variety from Vallagarina, located between the provinces of Trento and Verona. It has ancient origins and definitely derives from the domestication of wild vines. In fact, one of its synonyms is “Lambrusco a foglia tonda,” which contrasts with Enantio or Lambrusco a foglia frastagliata, also exclusively found in the same territory. It is particularly widespread in the municipalities of Ala and Avio in the province of Trento, and Dolcè, Brentino Belluno, and Rivoli in the province of Verona. It seems that the grape takes its name from a family of farmers in Ala (TN), known for cultivating this variety in their fields, hence one of its local synonyms, Maranela. Casetta has particularly long-lived vines, and it is not uncommon to find productive plants dating back to the period immediately after the phylloxera outbreak, about 70 years ago.
Due to the scarcity of grafted seedlings available on the market, Casetta is still propagated by layering, burying a shoot from a nearby vine. After being abandoned in the 1960s in favor of varieties more in demand by the market and being delisted as an authorized variety due to its particular sensitivity to fungal diseases, interest in this grape has been growing in recent years. Since 2002, the variety has been reintroduced among those allowed for cultivation, and only recently, in November 2006, with the recognition of the Valdadige Terradeiforti DOC, some types of denomination of origin wines can be produced with pure Casetta grapes. Ampelographically, the Casetta grape is characterized by a medium, pentagonal, pentalobate leaf. Its cluster is conical and winged, medium-sized, loose with medium-large berries. The skin of the berries is thin, dark in color, almost blue-black, fairly resistant to winter cold, but very sensitive to spring frosts. Casetta has good vigor and adapts well to calcareous and hilly soils, with good exposure and ventilation, at altitudes not exceeding four hundred meters. It is rich in polyphenols, has pronounced acidity, and relatively firm tannins. As a wine, Casetta presents an intense ruby red color. On the nose, it has fruity notes of ripe plum and blackberry, with a slightly vegetal background and a spicy note of black pepper on the finish. On the palate, it is structured, rightly tannic, fairly soft, and persistent. It pairs well with polenta with cheese or mushrooms or grilled pork.
