Very little is known about the origins of this species of grape. Old documents containing a description of morphological characteristics of a vine dating back to 1876, and subsequent viticulture notes from the 1920s, talk about a variety of grape called Ribolla, grown in the area around Rimini and called "Pignulèt" in dialect.
Pignoletto, in fact, otherwise known as Ribolla or Rebola, has been grown for a long time in the Rimini area where it is held in high esteem for the excellent wines it produces.
In the past it was also used to obtain passito wines, or sweet dessert wines made from dried grapes, as it appeared in wine competitions in the late 1800s.
It is also wildly grown in the Bologna province. Recently it has been compared to the Umbria wine Grechetto di Todi.
Probably it was part of the vast group of various grapevines, called Greci, that were brought to the costal area years ago by sailors arriving by sea.
It is a very interesting variety; hardy and of average production. Wines made from this grape have a rather high alcoholic content; they are fruity, smooth textured and very drinkable.
This grape makes up part of the Colli di Rimini Rebola wines: dry, slightly sweet, sweet and passito (dessert wine).
