Hardly anyone knows the Picolit grape variety, but its wines were widespread in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. Picolit wines were even delivered to the Vatican. Picolite was first mentioned in writing in 1682, but it was probably already cultivated by the Romans. However, the phylloxera catastrophe at the end of the 19th century affected it so badly that it almost disappeared from the vineyards in northeastern Italy. An initiative by the Perusini family saved a small collection that still exists today. The origin of the variety is unclear, but it is certain that it also occurs in Hungary under the name Blaustengler or Kéknyelü, with which there are at least family connections. The name may have been derived from the small clusters that the picolit produces, or from the word "peco", which is used in the regional dialect and means something like "standing on the summit". Unfortunately, Picolit is susceptible to a number of diseases that make it extremely difficult to grow. It is prone to sterile pollen as well as to the sudden loss of its grapes. Since it is also susceptible to trickling, the yields are very low. Today, small plantings of this variety can still be found in the province of Udine, Trevisiano and Friuli. Because of the small quantity, a very rare but excellent sweet wine is produced from it; the producers Dorigo or Livio Felluga may be mentioned here as representatives. Nonino produces an excellent grappa from Picolit. Small plantings outside Italy can be found in Slovenia under the names Pikolit Italia or Pikolit Vienna.
This grape variety is also known by the name of:
Balafant, Balafan, Blaustengler, Blaustingl Weiss, Keknyelü, Kelner, Pikolit, Pikolit Weiss, Piccolet, Piccoletta, Piccolino, Piccolit, Piccolito del Friuli, Piccolitto Friulano, Picoleto Bianco, Picolit Giallo, Piccoliti Bianco, Ranful Weiss, Peccoleto Bianco, Piros Keknyelü, Uva del Friuli, Wisellertraube Weiss
