Emilia Romagna

The region with the capital Bologna is located in the north of Italy and stretches from the Adriatic Sea in the east with the Romagna region to the inland Emilia region in the west. In the north, the Po forms the border with the Lombardy region, while in the south the Apennines form the almost 300 kilometre-long border with the Liguria and Tuscany regions. The western part of Emilia was divided into the duchies of Parma and Modena, which were a constant bone of contention between the Habsburgs and Bourbons. The name derives from the Via Aemilia, which was built by the Romans in 187 BC. The eastern part of Romagna belonged to the Papal States of the Vatican for several centuries.

Balsamico

Today, numerous agricultural products are produced in the extremely fertile Po Valley. Around Modena, the famous balsamic vinegar is produced according to a centuries-old tradition. The two provinces of Reggio Emilia and Parma are home to the equally famous Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, the genuine, protected Parmesan cheese.

Vineyards & grape varieties

The vineyards cover 53,500 hectares. Two thirds are located in the large alluvial plains, but the best areas are in the hills on the southern border at the foot of the Apennines. Important white wine varieties are Albana, Biancame, Biancolella, Garganega, Malvasia Bianca di Candia, Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, Moscato Bianco (Muscat Blanc), Montuni (Montù), Mostosa, Müller-Thurgau, Ortrugo, Pagadebit (Bombino Bianco), Pinot Bianco (Pinot Blanc), Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris), Rébola and Grechetto Gentile (Prechetto Gentile). Grechetto Gentile (Pignoletto), Riesling Italico (Welschriesling), Sauvignon (Sauvignon Blanc), Trebbiano Modenese, Trebbiano Romagnolo and Trebbiano Toscano.

Important red wine varieties are Ancellotta, Barbera, Bonarda (Croatina), Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Ciliegiolo, Fogarina, Lambrusco a Foglia Frastagliata (Enantio), Lambrusco Barghi, Lambrusco di Sorbara, Lambrusco Grasparossa, Lambrusco Maestri, Lambrusco Marani, Lambrusco Montericco, Lambrusco Oliva, Lambrusco Peduncolo Rosso, Lambrusco Salamino, Lambrusco Viadanese, Longanesi, Malbo Gentile, Merlot, Montepulciano, Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir), Sangiovese, Uva d'Oro (Fortana) and Syrah.

IGT, DOC and DOCG areas

The Emilia region is best known for its Frizzante and Spumante, the sparkling and sparkling red and rosé wines made from various Lambrusco varieties, which are mostly produced as palatable mass-produced wines that can be drunk young. However, the quality has improved significantly due to stricter DOC regulations. In Romagna, the style is characterised above all by red wines made from Sangiovese. The first white wine in Italy to be classified as DOCG was Albana di Romagna. The IGT (regional wines), DOC and DOCG (quality wines) areas in Emilia-Romagna are:

• Albana di Romagna (DOCG)
• Bosco Eliceo (DOC)
• Castelfranco Emilia (IGT)
• Colli Bolognesi (DOC)
• Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto - until 2014 Colli Bolognesi Classico Pignoletto (DOCG)
• Colli di Faenza (DOC)
• Colli di Imola (DOC)
• Colli di Parma (DOC)
• Colli di Rimini (DOC)
• Colli di Scandiano e di Canossa (DOC)
• Colli Piacentini (DOC)
• Colli Romagna Centrale (DOC)
• Emilia or dell'Emilia (IGT)
• Forlì (IGT)
• Fortana del Taro (IGT)
• Gutturnio (DOC)
• Lambrusco di Sorbara (DOC)
• Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro (DOC)
• Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce (DOC)
• Modena or di Modena (DOC)
• Ortrugo dei Colli Piacentini or Ortrugo-Colli Piacentini (DOC)
• Pignoletto (DOC)
• Ravenna (IGT)
• Reno (DOC)
• Reggiano (DOC)
• Romagna (DOC)
• Rubicone (IGT)
• Sillaro or Bianco del Sillaro (IGT)
• Terre di Veleja (IGT)
• Val Tidone (IGT)

Image: by Valter Cirillo on Pixabay