Governo is a
winemaking technique reportedly invented in
Tuscany in the 14th century to help complete
fermentation and
stabilize the wine. The technique involves saving a batch of
harvested grape and allowing them to partially dry. If fermentation of the main batch starts to slow or appears to be nearing
stuck fermentation, the half dried grapes are added to the
must which then gives the
yeast cells a new source of
sugar to enliven the batch. From there, the must can be fermented
dry or stopped with the wine having a higher level of
residual sugar. The process was widely used in the
Chianti zones until the advent of temperature controlled fermentation tanks. From Tuscany the technique spread to
Marche and
Umbria where it is sometimes used today. In the Marche the technique is most often used on wines made from the
Verdicchio grape to counteract the grape's natural bitterness and to add some sweetness and
frizzante qualities.