This is a remarkably neutral variety. As Trebbiano, is grown over great swathes of central Italy, and quality wise much depends on the particular clone- Trebbiano di Soave is considered much better than Trebbiano Toscana, for example. Trebbiano plays a part in most central Italian white wines- Soave, Verdicchio, Orvieto, Frascati, and Lugana are all more or less dependent on it.

So there is a certain glamour to Italian wine varieties in Australia these days, but not much of it has rubbed off on Trebbiano. Even Jancis Robinson attaches the label 'undistinguished' to the variety. In France it goes under the name Ugni Blanc. Other synonyms include Spoletino, Perugino, Rusciolo, Bobiolo, Muscadet Aigre, St-Emilion, White Shiraz and White Hermitage.

The variety is planted all over Italy and it is the most commonly used white variety in that country. Trebbiano is high yielding, hence its popularity, and it gives acidity in blends. In France Ugni Blanc is the most widely planted white variety and it is grown in Southwest France for distillation into Cognac and Armagnac due to its high yields and acidity. The variety was popular in Australia, where along with Colombard, it is used to make bulk wines. If you've had a 'Dry White' from a cask made in 'South East Australia' you've had Trebbiano. But with care in the vineyard and careful winemaking some wineries have coaxed some quite good crisp dry white wines from the variety. Just the thing to go with the fish and chips on Friday night.