18 March 2022. Words by YGOW. The southern Italian grape fiano has had a relatively meteoric rise in Australia. It’s not quite ready to push chardonnay, pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc off the podium anytime soon, but in a tick over 15 years it has risen to be readily identifiable by both keen wine drinkers and those more casual. But it’s not that long ago that the grape was nearing extinction in its homeland, with the low-yielding vines shunned for more productive varieties.