DOCG area for white wines in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna. The upgrade from DOC to DOCG took place in 2010 under the designation Colli Bolognesi Classico Pignoletto. The area at that time corresponds to the current Classico sub-region within the Colli Bolognesi DOC area. In 2014, the production area was expanded. The change to the protected name ‘Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto’ was approved at EU level in 2023. The vineyards cover 134 hectares of vineyard area. If the grapes come from an officially recognised vineyard, the term ‘Vigna’ may be used, followed by the name of the vineyard.

Wines

Wine types Frizzante, Spumante and Superiore  are made from Grechetto Gentile, also known locally as Alionzina (Pignoletto), (at least 85 per cent), together with other authorised non-aromatic white varieties, including Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) and Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris) pressed as white wine, which together may account for a maximum of 15 per cent.

The Superiore Classico is produced from Grechetto Gentile (at least 95 per cent) and other authorised white varieties (up to 5 per cent) from grapes grown in the Classico area. The wine must have an alcohol content of at least 12 per cent. The wine may be marketed no earlier than 4 October of the year following the harvest, after at least two months’ bottle ageing. The designation ‘Colli Bolognesi Classico Pignoletto’ is also permitted on the label.

Other areas

In addition, there is the Colli Bolognesi DOC area. The former Pignoletto DOC area was replaced by the new designation ‘Emilia-Romagna DOC’ from the 2024 vintage onwards.