Below is a **technical profile of Glera Lunga**, written in a professional viticultural and oenological format, with a clear introduction and regulatory, agronomic, and sensory detail.

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## Glera Lunga – Technical Profile

### Introduction

**Glera Lunga** is a **minor, traditional white grape variety of northeastern Italy**, historically cultivated in the Prosecco production zone of **Veneto**, particularly in the hills of **Conegliano–Valdobbiadene**. It is genetically related to **Glera** (formerly Prosecco) but is **ampelographically distinct**, characterized by **longer clusters and berries** and a later ripening cycle.

Today, Glera Lunga survives primarily as a **permitted complementary variety** in Prosecco DOC and DOCG wines, valued for its contribution to **acidity, floral nuance, and structural freshness**, especially in warmer vintages.

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## 1. Synonyms & Classification

* **Primary name:** Glera Lunga

* **Synonyms:** Prosecco Lungo, Prosecco Lunga (historic)

* **Species:** *Vitis vinifera*

* **Genetic relationship:** Closely related to Glera (distinct biotype, not a clone)

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## 2. Regulatory Status

### Appellation Use

* **Permitted variety** in:

* Prosecco DOC

* Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG

* Asolo Prosecco DOCG

### Legal Limits

* **Maximum inclusion:** Up to **15%**, within the non-Glera fraction

* Cannot be used as a varietal wine under Prosecco regulations

* Rarely vinified alone; mostly blended

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## 3. Ampelographic Characteristics

### Vine

* **Vigor:** Medium to high

* **Growth habit:** Semi-erect

* **Budburst:** Medium

* **Ripening:** **Late** (7–14 days after Glera)

### Cluster

* **Shape:** Elongated, cylindrical-conical

* **Size:** Medium to large

* **Compactness:** Loose to moderately compact

### Berry

* **Size:** Medium

* **Shape:** Ellipsoidal

* **Skin:** Thin, green-yellow at maturity

* **Pulp:** Juicy, neutral

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## 4. Viticulture

### Climate Preference

* Temperate continental

* Performs best in **hill sites** with airflow

* Late ripening reduces frost risk but increases rain exposure

### Soils

* Marl and calcareous clay

* Good drainage preferred to limit vigor

### Training Systems

* **Guyot** (hills)

* **Modified Sylvoz** (plains, less common)

### Yield

* **Naturally productive**

* Requires yield control for quality use

* Average yields historically similar to or slightly higher than Glera

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## 5. Disease Sensitivity

* **Downy mildew:** Moderate sensitivity

* **Powdery mildew:** Moderate

* **Botrytis:** Medium risk due to thin skins

* **Drought:** Moderate tolerance

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## 6. Harvest & Must Composition

* **Harvest period:** Mid to late September

* **Typical must parameters:**

* Sugar: 15.5–17.5 °Brix

* Total acidity: 6.5–8.0 g/L (tartaric)

* pH: 3.00–3.20

Late harvest allows acidity preservation even in warm years.

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## 7. Vinification Characteristics

### Fermentation

* Stainless steel

* Cool fermentation: **13–16 °C**

* Neutral or low-aroma yeast strains preferred

### Role in Blends

* Enhances **acid backbone**

* Adds **linear structure and tension**

* Moderates overt fruitiness of Glera

* Supports longevity of base wines for Charmat fermentation

### Suitability

* Still base wines

* Secondary fermentation stability

* Not typically used for extended lees ageing

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## 8. Sensory Contribution

### Aromatic Profile

* White flowers (hawthorn, acacia)

* Green apple

* Lemon peel

* Fresh herbs

### Palate Impact

* Higher perceived acidity

* Light body

* Crisp, dry finish

* Subtle mineral edge

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## 9. Comparison: Glera vs Glera Lunga

| Parameter | Glera | Glera Lunga |

| ------------- | --------------- | ---------------------- |

| Ripening | Early–mid | **Late** |

| Acidity | Medium-high | **High** |

| Cluster shape | Short, compact | **Long, elongated** |

| Aromatics | Fruity | **Floral, restrained** |

| Role | Primary variety | **Structural support** |

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## 10. Oenological Significance

Glera Lunga plays a **supportive but strategically important role** in Prosecco blends, particularly under:

* Climate warming scenarios

* High-yield DOC conditions

* Brut / Extra Brut stylistic targets

Its preservation is increasingly seen as a **biodiversity asset** within the Prosecco appellations.

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### Summary

**Glera Lunga** is a **late-ripening, high-acidity traditional variety**, historically linked to Prosecco and now valued for balance, freshness, and structural precision rather than aromatic intensity. Though rarely recognized by consumers, it remains a technically valuable blending component in high-quality Prosecco production.

If you want, I can also provide:

* DNA & clonal distinction vs Glera

* Climate-change relevance analysis

* Use in Brut Nature Prosecco

* Comparative profiles of Verdiso, Perera & Bianchetta Trevigiana

* Export-ready technical table (Excel-compatible)