Amordivino Wines
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Emilia-Romagna

Population: 3.947.102
Surface (Kmq): 22124
Density (Inhabitants/Kmq.): 179
Main city: Bologna (BO)
Other towns: Ferrara (FE); Forlì-Cesena (FC); Modena (MO); Parma (PR); Piacenza (PC); Ravenna (RA); Reggio Emilia (RE); Rimini (RN).

The region is composed of contrasting landscapes: the endless horizons of the vast plain formed by the River Po; hilly vineyards; steep and lush Apennine cliffs; a lengthy coastline stretching over 120km with velvety beaches, nautical facilities, tourist harbours and fishing villages. And with arguably the finest cuisine in Italy (don't start) you’ll enjoy superb meals wherever you go. Of the towns there are: Ravenna, with its mosaics; Bologna, with porticoes, towers and senatorial palaces; and the dual feel, medieval and Renaissance, of Ferrara. Many wonderful castles and strongholds perch in the mountains and tower in the valleys, and spacious villas rest on the plains. The region is also famous for its spas - true havens of well-being  thanks to the healthy waters flowing down the slopes of the Apennines and along the coasts. Emilia Romagna is also home to Ferrari.


 
 

The strongly individual characteristics of Emilia-Romagna wines make them northern Italy's most eccentric. They are different, on the whole, from the wines of their neighbours. The best Emilian wine is perhaps Lambrusco, a sparkling, joyous red made from grapes grown on high trellised vines in four DOC zones in the Modena and Reggio Emilia provinces. Lambrusco is made for consumption within the year and very few consumers abroad have tasted the wine in its authentic dry style. Most exported Lambrusco is sweet and amabile. Though both types are based in tradition, the dry variety is considered the best match for the area's rich cuisine.

In the foothills of the Apennines to the south of the region, fun-loving white wines are made from Malvasia, Trebbiano and Ortrugo as well as zesty reds which are made from Barbera and Bonarda grapes. In the areas of the Colli Piacentini, the Colli Bolognesi and the Colli di Parma, more serious wines are made from Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot, Barbera, Cabernet and Merlot, but the majority of Emilian wines are frothy and somewhat lightweight.

In Romagna, wines are made primarily from the native Sangiovese, Trebbiano and Albana grapes. Albana di Romagna, which became Italy's first DOCG white wine in 1987, is usually dry and still with a distinctive almond undertone and finish. The traditional semisweet and bubbly version of Albana Spumante is a rich and sweet passito made from partly-dried grapes. Another Romagna white, the Trebbiano di Romagna, is often light and fresh and, whether still or bubbly, has a fragility that renders it best in its youth.

The king of Romagna wines, though, is Sangiovese, usually a robust red with pronounced fruity flavours, reminiscent of the great variety of produce and fruits gracing the area. More and more often, though, local producers of Sangiovese are making superior reserve wines of greater depth of bouquet and flavour, capable of ageing gracefully.

Local vintners and winemakers are actively building interest in rare local wines such as the DOC white Pagadebit and the red Cagnina and Bosco Eliceo. Other varieties produced here are Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot and Cabernet.

DOCG wines:
Albana di Romagna

DOC wines:
Bosco Eliceo  
Cagnina di Romagna  
Colli Bolognesi  
Colli Bolognesi Classico Pignoletto  
Colli di Faenza  
Colli di Imola  
Colli di Parma  
Colli di Rimini  
Colli di Scandiano e di Canossa  
Colli Piacentini  
Colli Romagna centrale  
Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro  
Lambrusco di Sorbara  
Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce  
Pagadebit di Romagna  
Reggiano  
Reno  
Romagna Albana Spumante 
Sangiovese di Romagna  
Trebbiano di Romagna

IGT wines:
Bianco del Sillaro
Bianco di Castelfranco Emilia
Emilia o dell'Emilia
Fontana del Taro
Forlì
Modena o Provincia di Modena
Ravenna
Rubicone
Sillaro
Terre di veleja
Val Tidone