Emilia-Romagna Flashcards
Emilia-Romagna is a cultural nexus, thanks to the beautiful Romanesque and Renaissance architecture found in which cities?
-Bologna
-Ferrara
-Modena
Name the beach resorts in Emilia-Romagna that are famous among the sun-worshipping crowd.
-The Rimini
-The Riccione
Beach resorts of the Adriatic.
Emilia-Romagna is the epicenter for Italian automotive inspiration, engineeing and design. Which car-makers call Emilia-Romagna home?
-Ferrari
-Lamborghini
-Maserati
-Ducati
How much area does Emilia-Romagna have under vine and how much wine is produced?
There are more than 123,000ac/50,000ha under vine, representing 8% of Italy’s total vineyard area.
An average of 6 million hectoliters of wine is made here every year, which equates to 10% of Italy’s total wine production.
How has Emilia-Romagna solidified it’s image as a producer of easy-drinking, uncomplicated and affordable wines?
Through the combination of large cooperatives, fertile land and high yields.
What was Emilia-Romagna claim to fame in the 1970s and 1980s?
Lambrusco, an undistinguished, sweet and slightly effervescent red that was specifically crafted to suit sugar-loving export markets.
What was sent abroad was nothing like what was drunk in Italy.
Why was the international popularity of sweet Lambrusco a double-edged sword?
It brought wealth and prosperity yet also cemented Emilia-Romagna’s image as a mass-producer of uninspiring wines.
How has Emilia-Romagna’s wine reputation changed since the end of the 20th century?
An increasing number of small, quality-minded estates have emerged, particularly in the Labrusco district and in the hills of Piacenza, Bologna and Romagna.
Winemakers are working to produce expressive wines that showcase the region’s diverse terroirs and native grapes.
As a result, Emilia-Romagna’s reputation for quality wine is not only growing, but has actually developed a strong following…especially among Italians.
Why is Emilia-Romagna considered to have one of the best food cultures in the country?
It is the land of:
-Parmigiano Reggiano
-Prosciutto di Parma
-Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena
-unique pastas like tortellini
The local gastronomy is rich and based on cheese, cream, butter, and cured meats. The pasta sauces are meat-based.
Emilia-Romagna’s wine renaissance has been a welcome addition to a local table that is already richly bedecked.
Who were the native peoples of Emilia-Romagna?
The Celts.
What was the state of viticulture in Emilia-Romagna when the Romans invaded and conquered the region in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC?
The locals were already successfully growing grapes and making wine thanks to the tutelage of the Etruscans, who had already introduced and taught viticulture to all the north and central Italian tribes.
How was viticulture in Emilia-Romagna influenced by Roman rule?
Viticulture expanded and the region became one of th major centers of wine production for the Italian peninsula.
What wines from Emilia-Romagna did Pliny the Elder mention in the 1st century BC?
The fizzy wines produced in the hills around modern-day Bologna as well as the fizzy red wines from the Lambrushe (Lambrusco) grape grown on the plain around the area of modern-day Modena.
Who was Mario Emilio Lepido and what is his historical significance to Emilia-Romagna?
He was a Roman consul who built the Via Emilia, a road that connected the city of Piacenza in the west to Rimini on the Adriatic coast in the east.
This thoroughfare became a major trade route between northern and central Italy and ended up becoming the name of the region itself.
What happened to Emilia-Romagna at the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century?
The region was divided into two parts: Emilia and Romagna. Both followed different destinies and were only reunited in modern times.
After the fall of Rome, which people annexed Emilia?
Emilia was annexed by the Lombard tribe.
During the Middle Ages under Lombard rule, Emilia was divided into several duchies, and later under the Holy Roman Empire, many of the major city centers became city-states. These duchies and city-states remained largely independent.
Among the most influential were Parma, Piacenza, Modena, Reggio Emilia and Bologna, with Bologna as the most prominent and powerful of all.
What is the name of the oldest university in the western world and where was it founded?
Alma Mater Studiorum was founded in Bologna in 1088AD. Today it is called Universita di Bologna. The school was instrumental in leading education and research in the western world.
The foundation of the University marked the birth of education that was independent from any political authority and free from any direct ecclesiastical influence.
The territory that corresponds to Romagna was annexed by what people after the fall of Rome?
The Byzantines (the Eastern Roman Empire) who name the region Romania (over time changing into Romagna), in reference to the fact that the territory was the last in northern Italy to be under Roman rule.
How did the Byzantines rule over Romagna come to an end?
Romagna was annexed by the Lombards in the 8th century AD.
How did the Lombards rule over Romagna come to an end?
The Pope began to worry about the Lombard Kingdom and its hegemony because the Papal States lay on the border of this expanding super power. The Holy See requested the assistance of Pippin the Short, King of the Franks. In a pre-emptive strike, Pippin’s army invaded and defeated the Lombards, putting a stop to their territorial expansion.
Romagna was assigned to papal jurisdiction and remained part of the Papal States until the invasion of Napoleon at the end of the 18th century.
What effect did Napoleon’s arrival have on Emilia and Romagna?
It ended centuries of independence for the duchies and city-states of Emiliat and ended papal rule of Romagna.
After the defeat of Napoleon and the subsequent Congress of Vienna in 1815, Romagna was returned to the church and the different duchies and city-states of Emilia re-established their autonomy.
When were the territories of Emilia and Romagna included in the Kingdom of Sardegna?
In 1860, following the plebiscites (public vote) that took place in Emilia and Romagna.
One year later, the Kingdom of Italy was created. The two regions remained separate entities.
How did Emilia and Romagna fair during the 18th and 19 centuries?
Viticulture in both territories went through a long period of decline. Neglect, loss of interest in grape growing, and a dwindling workforce was compounded by the arrival of phylloxera at the end of the 19th century.
How were Emilia and Romagna able to experience a viticultural renaissance?
The recently created nation of Italy enacted a series of policies devoted to the promotion and development of agriculture and viticulture.
Cooperatives were established and joined thousands of small growers under one economic umbrella. These large wineries became the driving force within the wine industries of Emilia and Romagna during the 20th century.
When were Emilia and Romagna administratively joined together into the single region of Emilia-Romagna?
1947
Where is Emilia-Romagna located?
Emilia-Romagna is the southernmost region of northern Italy and links the north to the central part of the Italian Peninsula. Natural topography delimits and shapes the region into a triangle.
The Po River marks the northern border with Lombardia and Veneto.
The south is hemmed by the Northern Apennines, Toscana, the Republic of San Marino and Marche.
To the east, lies the Adriatic Sea.
The western border abuts Liguria and a small portion of Piemonte.
The administrative region of Emilia-Romagna is composed of two distinct territories. Where is each territory located?
Emilia occupies the western and central portion of Emilia-Romagna. It has historically been considered a part of northern Italy.
Romagna comprises the southeastern section. They feel kinship to central Italy.
How do the people of Emilia-Romagna identify themselve?
Either:
-Emiliani (from Emilia)
-Romagnoli (from Romagna)
Never both.
How do the people of Emilia differ from those of Romagna?
In local dialect, accent, traditions, foods, wines and culture.
Which of the two territories is the largest?
Emilia
Name the provinces found in Emilia.
1) Piacenza
2) Parma
3) Reggio Emilia
4) Modena
5) Ferrara
6) most of Bologna
Note: Bologna is considered a part of Emilia, but is also the administrative capital of the whole (Emilia-Romagna) and represents a dividing point between the two territories.
Name the provinces found in Romagna.
1) Ravenna
2) Forli-Cesena
3) Rimini
What is the topographical layout of Emilia-Romagna?
The region consists of plains, hills and mountains (Northern Apennines) which lie parallel to each other and stretch from the northwest to the southeast in three swaths or bands.
What is the percentage of Emilia-Romagna are mountains, plains and hills?
-48% plains
-27% hills
-25% mountains
Where in Emilia-Romagna can the plains be found?
Nearly half of the region (48%) is occupied by the flat plain of the Po River Valley. This plain widens toward the east, reaching its broadest expanse at the river’s delta as it empties into the Adriatic Sea.
How was the plain in Emilia-Romagna formed?
By an ancient sea that once occupied the Po Basin.
What are the soil types found in the plains of Emilia-Romagna?
Ancient marine sediments as well as alluvial deposits made by the numerous rivers that descend from the Northern Apennines and empty into the Po or the Adriatic Sea.
Name the most important rivers of Emilia-Romagna.
From east to west:
1) Panaro (Modena)
2) Secchia (Modena)
3) Taro (Parma)
4) Trebbia (Piacenza)
How much of Emilia-Romagna’s total area under vine are planted along the plain?
Two-thirds.
The vineyards on this fertile plain accounts for the bulk of Emilia-Romagna’s production.
What is the Via Emila?
It is a road separating the plains of Emilia-Romagna from a central band of hills situated at the foothills of the Northern Apennines.
Which topographical area in Emilia-Romagna produces some of the region’s most distinctive wines?
The foothills of the Northern Apennines.
This area accounts for 27% of the total area and extends diagonally from the region’s northwestern corner to its southeastern corner.
How much of Emilia-Romagna’s area is mountainous?
One quarter (25%).
The Northern Apennines cut across the southern part of Emilia-Romagna parallel to the central band of vineyard-covered hills.
These peaks rarely reach more than 6,500ft/2,000m in elevation.
No vines are grown in the mountainous area.
What is the terrain like throughout Romagna’s coastline?
Romagna’s coastline is uniformly sandy in the central and southern locations, but the north is studded with lagoons and lowlands up to the Po Delta.
What is the overall climate of Emilia-Romagna?
It ranges from Mediterranean to semi-continental to continental with alpine influences.
How much impact does the Adriatic have on the region of Emilia-Romagna?
As the length of the coastline is small compared to the girth of the inland territory, they Adriatic has limited impact beyond the coast itself.
How does the Po River influence the climate in Emilia-Romagna?
The Po, together with its many tributaries, moderates and tempers the climate of Emilia-Romagna as a whole.
The rivers increase humidity, increasing the risk of mold and rot.
Note: A large part of Emilia-Romagna’s vineyards lie within the Po River Valley and are subject to the grape-growing challenge of mold/rot.
What is the climate of Emilia-Romagna’s plains?
They tend to be continental with hot, humid summers and long, cold winters.
The plains are the driest part of the region with 20-30in /600-800mm of annual rainfall. Most precipitation falls in autumn and spring.
Fog is quite common in autumn and winter.
What is the climate of the band of hills in Emilia-Romagna?
Semi-continental.
This area receives more rainfall than the plains and is cooler in the summer, yet less cold in the winter.
Along its southern edge, where the hills border the Northern Apennines, the climate is continental with alpine influences.
What is the climate of Emilia-Romagna along the coast?
Mediterranean.
Sea breezes buffer temperatures year-round making winters milder and summers less hot than in the central plains.
What are the soil types found in the plains of Emilia-Romagna?
The alluvial plains are deep and fertile composites of clay, silt and sand.
High yields are easy to achieve if not restricted by growers.
What are the soil types found in the hillsides of Emilia-Romagna?
Shallow soils comprised of a mixture of clay, sandstone and marl.
Yields are naturally curtailed because the soils are so poor. These more challenging soils are more suitable for quality viticulture.
How many red grape varieties are grown in Emilia-Romagna compared to white varieties?
As a whole, they grow just slightly more red varieties than white.
What are the 2 most widespread grapes in Emilia-Romagna?
1) Sangiovese
2) Trebbiano Romagnolo (white)
Together they constitute more than 40% of Emilia-Romagna’s total area under vine.
Note: However, both Emilia and Romagna grow grapes exclusive to their own territories, and both have historically focused on very different varieties.
The principal grapes of Emilia belong to which red grape family?
Lambrusco
These dominate the vineyards around Reggio Emilia and Modena.
What is the Ancellotta varietal used for in Emilia?
It is a widely planted, red grape, particularly in Reggio Emilia that is used as a minor blending component in a few DOCs for the purpose of adding colour.
It is largely used for the production of concentrated grape must.
Which varietals are largely planted in the hills of Piacenza in western Emilia?
1) Barbera
2) Croatina (locally called Bonarda)
3) Malvasia di Candia Aromatica (white)
4) Ortrugo (white)
Which varietal is considered the traditional white grape of Bologna and its environs?
Pignoletto (white)
Which 2 varietals dominate the vineyards of Romagna?
1) Trebbiano Romagnolo
2) Sangiovese
What style of wines are produced in Romagna using Sangiovese and Trebbiano Romagnolo?
Both are used to produce simple and uncomplicated wines.
Although, quality-minded producers do craft more substantial Sangiovese bottlings very similar in style to those from Toscana.
Which varietal is the most important and traditional white grape in Romagna?
The native Albana. It is responsible for some of Romagna’s best dry whites and passitos.
Name some less widely planted grape varieties that are of significant local importance in Romagna.
1) Fortana
2) Terrano
3) Malbo Gentile
(all red)
Name the International varietals found in Emilia-Romagna.
1) Merlot
2) Cabernet Sauvignon
3) Pinot Nero
4) Chardonnay
5) Pinot Grigio
6) Sauvignon Blanc
These account for a small proportion of the area under vine. They are particularly important on the hills of Piacenza and Bologna where they perform well.
Name the native and traditional red varieties of Emilia-Romagna.
1) Lambrusco Family
2) Sangiovese
Others:
3) Ancellotta
4) Barbera
5) Bonarda (Croatina)
6) Fortana
7) Malbo Gentile
8) Terrano
9) Barbarossa
How old are the Lambrusco family of grapes?
They represent one of the most ancient families of native grapes in Italy. It is so ancient, that a specific area of origin has not been determined.
Historically, they were believed to descend from domesticated wild vines. All the Lambrusco grapes are related to each other but are considered distinct varieties.
How are the varieties in the Lambrusco similar or different?
In general, the wines produced from these grapes share common features, such as high acidity, moderate alcohol and red fruit-floral aromas.
However, each variety does express a distinct character, despite such similarities.
Name the 3 most important varieties from the Lambrusco family.
1) Lambrusco di Sorbara
2) Lambrusco Salamino
3) Lambrusco Grasparossa
Which is the most well-known variety from the Lambrusco family?
Lambrusco di Sorbara
Where has Lambrusco di Sorbara been traditionally grown?
Around the hamlet of Sorbara in the province of Modena.
What style of Lambrusco is produced from Lambrusco di Sorbara grapes?
It produces the lightest (in terms of colour, body, alcohol & structure) version of Lambrusco, which is considered to be the benchmark style.
How is the Lambrusco di Sorbara grapevine peculiar?
It needs another Lambrusco variety in the vineyard to serve as a pollinator.
Lambrusco Salamino is commonly interplanted with Lambrusco di Sorbara to play this role.
Which is the most widely planted of the Lambrusco varieties?
Lambrusco Salamino
Where has Lambrusco Salamino traditionally been cultivated?
Around the hamlet of Santa Croce in the province of Modena.
What does the Lambrusco Salamino name reference?
The shape of the grape clusters, which look like small salami.
What style of Lambrusco is produced from Lambrusco Salamino?
It is often described as crafting the most balanced Lambrusco wine. Stylistically falling between Lambrusco di Sorbara and Lambrusco Grasparossa.
Which is the second-most widely planted varieties of Lambrusco?
Lambrusco Grasparossa
What style of Lambrusco is produced from Lambrusco Grasparossa?
Fleshier, fuller-bodied and more tannic Lambrusco wines.
Where are the varieties of the Lambrusco family typically planted?
Lambrusco Salamino and Lambrusco di Sorbara are primarily planted on the plains around Reggio Emilia and Modena.
Lambrusco Grasparossa is mainly grown on the hills around the village of Castelvetro to the south of Modena. This is considered its traditional home.
Name the other 2 significant, but less widely planted Lambrusco varieties.
1) Lambrusco Marani
2) Lambrusco Maestri
Recent DNA studies have proven that Sangiovese is a natural cross between which 2 varieties?
1) Ciliegiolo
2) Calabrese Montenuovo (an obscure southern Italian grape that is almost extinct)
DNA research has also shown that Sangiovese has kinship with several other southern Italian grapes, suggesting that the grape originated in the south of Italy - not Toscana as was previously thought.
Where did some of the highest-quality of Sangiovese clones currently planted in Toscana actually originate from?
Romagna; where the grapes is considered as traditional.
How significant is the Sangiovese grape variety?
Sangiovese is the most widely planted grape in Italy overall.
Emilia-Romagna is one of Italy’s primary regions for the variety.
What is the name Sangiovese derived from?
According to the legend, it is derived from the Latin, sanguis Jovi (Jupiter’s blood).
The name was supposedly chosen by local monks in reference to the wines produced around Monte Giove (Mount Giove) near Rimini in Romagna.
Name the native and traditional white varieties of Emilia-Romagna.
1) Albana
2) Grechetto (Pignoletto)
3) Ortrugo
4) Malvasia di Candi Aromatica
5) Trebbiano Romagnolo
Others:
6) Bombino Bianco (locally called Pagadebit)
7) Spergola
8) Montu (or Montuni)
9) Santa Maria
10 Melara
What are the 2 theories as to how Albana came by its name?
1) Legend says that it was discovered in the Colli Albani (Alban Hills) and taken to Romagna by the Romans, hence its name.
2) Another theory links the grape to the word alba (dawn) in reference to the bright colour of the clusters.
How long has Albana been grown in Romagna?
Albana is an ancient variety that has been grown in Romagna since at least the Middle Ages.
What must be done to allow Albana to shine its best?
Plantings on better sites with calcareous clay soils. And its yields must be restricted.
What are the characteristics of wines produced from Albana?
The wines have subtle aromas of aromatic herbs (sage), citrus, green fruit and flowers. It is full-bodied and shows a surprising tannic component that enhances the overall texture of the wine.
What style of wine is Albana particularly suited for?
Sweet wine production
Because of its ability to handle botrytis. Its character is enriched by nobel rot.
Some of the best examples are rich passitos.
Where in Emilia-Romagna is Grechetto historically been grown?
Grechetto (also known as Grechetto Gentile) is a traditional variety historically grown on the hills behind Bologna.
The grape was previously known as Pignoletto.
Which varietal has the Grechetto grape been proven through DNA profiling to be identical to?
Grechetto di Todi, a traditional grape of Umbria.
What are the characteristics of wines produced from Grechetto?
They are typically light-bodied, expressing aromas of white flowers, citrus and apple.
The substantial tannin content of its skins adds an appealing textural component to the wines.
Additionally, its high acidity makes it suitable for sparkling and late-harvest wine production.
Where is Ortrugo native to?
The hills of Piacenza. It has grown in this area for centuries, but it was not mentioned in historic documents until the 19th century.
What does the name Ortrugo mean?
The name is derived from dialect - Altruga means “the other grape.”
Historically, Ortrugo was considered less important than other more popular varieties.
In the 20th century, it was used only as a minor blending component and was facing extinction.
When and how was the Ortrugo grape variety revived?
In the 1970s it attracted attention when it was bottle as a single-varietal.
Today, it is one of the most widely planted white grapes in the hills of Piacenza.
What are the characteristics of wines produced from Ortrugo?
The wines are typically crisp and mineral with aromas of citrus, green fruit and stone fruit.
What styles of wine are often produced from the Ortrugo grape?
Semi-sparkling or effervescent styles generally via the tank method and labeled as frizzante or vivace.
Where is the Malvasia di Candia Aromatica grape grown in Emilia-Romagna?
It is widely grown throughout Emilia and has many champions in the hills of Piacenza and Parma.
What are the characteristics of wines made from the Malvasia di Candia Aromatica grape?
The wines are fresh and floral but have weight.
As the name suggests, it is an aromatic variety.
What styles of wine are produced from Malvasia di Candia Aromatica ?
It is a high-quality, versatile grape that can be successfully crafted into:
-still
-sparkling
-passito
Note: Malvasia di Candia Aromatica passitos are considered some of Italy’s best sweet wines.
How are single-varietal wines made from Malvasia di Candia Aromatica typically labeled?
Simply “Malvasia.”
Despite there being other grapes in Italy call “Malvasia” within Emilia-Romagna, this grape holds claim to this name.
Which appellations in Emilia-Romagna use the Trebbiano Romagnolo grape to produce wine?
This ancient variety is used in several appellations as a blending component, but producers in Romagna champion it as a single varietal.
What other variety is Trebbiano Romagnolo typically co-planted with?
Trebbiano Toscano
What are the characteristics of wines produced from Trebbiano Romagnolo?
Simple and refreshing.
Rank the grapes of Emilia-Romagna from most- to least-widely planted.
1) Trebbiano Romagnolo (28%)
2) Sangiovese (15%)
3) Lambrusco Salamino (8%)
4) Ancellotta (7%)
5) Lambrusco Grasparossa (4%)
6) Barbera (4%)
7) Croatina (3%)
8) Pignoletto/Grechetto (3%)
9) Lambrusco di Sorbara (3%)
10) Albana (2%)
Others (23%)
What is “promiscuous viticulture” and how is it relevant to Emilia-Romagna?
It was common to find vines growing together with other plants and crops in Emilia-Romagna. And the vines were grown on natural supports such as trees.
Although less common today, it is still found in several areas of Emilia-Romagna. However, modern training methods have become mainstream.
What vine training systems are often found on the hills of both Emilia and Romagna?
Vertical training systems like:
-Guyot
-Cordon
What vine training systems are often found on the plains around Reggio Emilia and Modena?
In the area where Lambrusco varieties dominate, high-training systems such as the Geneva Double Curtain (GDC) and the Sylvoz are most prominent, as both are suitable for mechanization.
What traditional vine training system was utilized by the Lambrusco producers of Emilia, can still be found today, but is considered obsolete?
The complex, high-training Bellussi system.
What was the traditional vine training system used in the plains of Romagna?
Pergola Romagnola, an overhead training system.
In the plains of Romagna, what vine training system has gradually replaced the previous traditional system?
-Geneva Double Curtain (GDC)
-Guyot
(among others)
What percentage of Emilia-Romagna’s total wine production is DOC/DOCG, IGT and generic wine?
-25% DOC/DOCG
-40% IGT
-35% generic wine
As of 2017, how many appellations are there? How many are DOCs/DOCGs?
21 appellations
-2 DOCGs
-19 DOCs
Which of Emilia-Romagna’s IGTs rank among Italy’s most productive?
1) Emilia IGT (or dell’Emilia IGT)
-covers all of Emilia
2) Rubicone IGT
-includes a large part of Romagna
Note: some producers prefer to use an IGT to release high-quality wines that may not follow DOC(G) guidelines.
What is the nature and size of the vineyard holdings in Emilia-Romagna?
The vineyard area is fractured into a multitude of small vineyard holdings which average about 5ac/2ha in size.
More than two-thirds of the growers (whose holdings represent 60% of the total area under vine) belong to cooperatives, which account for 85% of Emilia-Romagna’s total production.
Some of these cooperatives are among Italy’s largest and most can be found in Emilia’s Lambrusco zone of production and in Romagna, where they source grapes grown in the plains.
Where in Emilia-Romagna are the best and most interesting wines produced from?
Hillside vineyards in both Emilia and Romagna, where the majority of single estates are located.
How do the sub-regions of Emilia and Romagna differ in wine production?
Emilia:
-focuses mainly on frizzante wine
-tends to be more diverse
Romagna:
-concentrate on still wines
-wine production largely falls under one appellation (Romagna DOC)
How can Emilia’s appellations be grouped?
Into four geographically successive wine districts that are laid out along a northwest-southeast axis following the Via Emilia from Piacenza to Bologna.
Name the 4 wine districts of Emilia.
1) The Hills of Piacenza
2) The Hills of Parma
3) The Lambrusco District
4) The Bologna District
Where can the the Hills of Piacenza be located?
These hills lie to the south of Piacenza in the northwestern corner of Emilia and have similar growing conditions to the adjacent hills of Oltrepo Pavese in Lombardia.
Note: the 2 areas grow many of the same grapes and make wines in similar styles.
What are the topographical features in the Hills of Piacenza that contribute to the climate?
The hills rise to an elevation of 650-1600ft/200-500m and form a series of parallel valleys that provide a wide range of meso-climates
As a whole, the area has good air circulation, which helps to reduce a build-up of humidity and mitigates the risk of frost.
What are the soil types found in the Hills of Piacenza?
Clay and marl with pockets of gravel/pebbles.
How are the the Hills of Piacenza managed and harvested?
Due to their steep inclines, vineyards have to be worked by hand.
The Hills of Piacenza is one of the largest and most productive in all of Emilia and produces a large range of wines. Which varieties do they focus on?
1) Barbera
2) Bonarda (Croatina)
3) Malvasia di Candi Aromatica
4) Ortrugo
Which international grape varieties are well-represented in the Hills of Piacenza?
1) Pinot Grigio
2) Sauvignon Blanc
3) Chardonnay
4) Pinot Nero
5) Cabernet Sauvignon
What are the wines of the Hills of Piacenza characterized by?
Crisp acidity.
This characteristically high acidity found in grapes makes them particularly suitable for sparkling wine and also enables the production of stunning passitos.
What styles of wine are produced in the Hills of Piacenza?
-frizzante (both reds & whites)
-still wines
-passitos (particularly from Malvasia di Candia Aromatica)
Which are considered the traditional wines of the Hills of Piacenza?
Semi-sparkling; even though still wines are increasing in number and gaining recognition and reputation, the semi-sparkling style remains more popular and is considered traditional.
Name the appellations in the Hills of Piacenza.
1) Colli Piacentini DOC
2) Gutturnio DOC
3) Ortrugo - Collo Piacentini DOC
What styles of white wine are produced under Collli Piacentini DOC?
This umbrella appellation covers several styles of wines made from native and international grapes.
1) White:
-Malvasia di Candia Aromatica (labeled Colli Piacentini Malvasia DOC)
2) Semi-sparkling:
-Malvasia di Candia Aromatica
3) Passitos:
-Malvasia di Candia Aromatica
4) Vin Santo
-Malvasia di Candia Aromatica
-Ortrugo
Note: other white grapes:
-Chardonnay
-Pinot Grigio
-Sauvignon Blanc
What are the characteristics of a traditional white wine from Colli Piacentini DOC?
Aromatic, perfumed, off-dry, refreshing and often semi-sparkling, but sweeter styles (including passitos) are considered traditional as well.
What styles of red wine are produced under Colli Piacentini DOC?
Red wines mainly produced from:
1) Barbera
2) Bonarda (Croatina)
Made in style of:
-semi-sparkling
-dry or off-dry
Note: other red grapes:
-Cabernet Sauvignon
-Pinot Nero
Name the 4 sub-zones under the Colli Piacentini DOC.
1) Monterosso Val d’Arda
2) Trebbianino Val Trebbia
3) Valnure
4) Vin Santo di Vigoleno
What styles of wine are produced under each of the sub-zones in Colli Piacentini DOC?
Monterosso Val d’Arda, Trebbianino Val Trebbia, and Valnure can be made in different styles:
-dry to semi-sweet
-still
-frizzante
-sparkling
And are largely based on:
-Malvasia di Candi Aromatica
-Ortrugo
-Trebbiano Romagnolo
Vin Santo di Vigoleno is a zone of production for an ancient sweet passito based upon the native white grapes Santa Maria and Melara grown around the medieval town of Vigoleno.
What are the aging requirements for Vin Santo under Collli Piacentini DOC?
-min. 5 years aging
-min. 3 years aged in oak barrels
What aromas does Vin Santo develop during the extensive aging period?
Complex and intense aromas of candied fruit, honey, nuts and tamarind.
What is the meaning behind the name of Gutturnio DOC?
The name references an ancient Roman jug (gutturnium) found in nearby Piacenza in 1878 and symbolizes the long-standing prestige enjoyed by the wines of the area.
What style of wine is produced under the Gutturnio DOC?
A Barbera/Bonarda blend traditionally made in a frizzante style and can be dry or have slight residual sugar. The wines are also produced as superiore or riserva.
A classico designation is reserved for wines produced from the classico (historic) zone of production that qualify for superiore or riserva categories.
Wines labeled superiore, riserva or classico are still and dry.
What are the requirements for superiore versions of Gutturnio DOC?
They must possess a higher minimum alcohol level.
What are the requirements for riserva versions of Gutturnio DOC?
-higher min. alcohol level
-min. 2 years maturation
-min. 6 months in oak
When was Gutturnio DOC awarded its own DOC?
2010; previously it was a part of the Colli Piacentini DOC.
Where is the Ortrugo - Colli Piacentini DOC located?
The borders of Ortrugo’s DOC follow the exact boundaries of the Colli Piacentini DOC.
Wines made from Ortrugo in this area were previously included in the Colli Piacentini DOC.
What are the typical and traditional white wines of the Hills of Piacenza?
1) Malvasia
2) Ortrugo
What styles of wine are produced under Ortrugo - Colli Piacentini DOC?
-still
-frizzante
-spumante
-dry or semi-dry
What are the characteristics of wines made in Ortrugo - Colli Piacentini DOC?
Zesty, mineral and refreshing.
What is happening in the Hills of Piacenza as it develops and evolves?
Some of the most interesting wines are being produced outside of DOC rules and are labeled as IGT.
Name the appellation located in the Hills of Parma.
Colli di Parma DOC; the hills located west and south of Parma.
What styles of wines are produced in Colli di Parma DOC?
The wines are often frizzante and are made from a wide range of grapes, including native and international varieties.
What are some of the most common and distinctive wines found in Colli di Parma DOC?
-Lambrusco (based on Lambrusco Maestri)
-Barbera
-Malvasia (based on Malvasia di Candi Aromatica)
-Sauvignon Blanc
Which wine is considered an ideal match with Parma’s world-famous cured ham, Prosciutto di Parma?
The fragrant and perfumed Malvasia
Where is the Lambrusco District located?
Often called Terre dei Lambruschi (Land of Lambruscos), it is located around the cities of Reggio Emilia and Modena. The district abuts the border of Lombardia’s Lambrusco Mantovano DOC.
What style of wine is the Lambrusco District known for and the home of?
Lambrusco, the semi-sparkling red wine.
What are the soil types in the Lambrusco District?
The district lies mostly on the flat and fertile plain surrounding Reggio Emilia and Modena. In this rich terrain, the vines (if not carefully controlled) can be highly productive.
To the south of Reggio Emilia and Modena, the rest of the district is in the less fertile foothills of the Northern Apennines.
How do Lambruscos consumed by locals compare to the Lambruscos sold in the USA and Western Europe?
Lambrusco has a good reputation among locals and a strong following in Italy.
Wines produced from large cooperatives and commercial bottlers during the 1970s and 1980s severely damaged worldwide perception of Lambrusco by characterless, low alcohol, sweet and frizzante wines. These wines experienced huge popularity, but are a world apart from what the locals drink.
What are the characteristics of a classic Lambrusco?
Wines display a characteristic pink foam when they are poured. They are dry (sometimes slightly off-dry) with refreshing acidity and bright red fruit. Floral aromas are complemented by minerality. They are moderate in alcohol (10-12% abv) and are light in tannins.
It can be produced in frizzante or spumante styles; but the vast majority are frizzante.
How are Lambrusco wines made frizzante?
Tank method
Only a small proportion is made via the traditional method and via the metodo ancestrale (ancestral method), both methods generally reserved for the finest quality bottlings that yield wines with extra layers of complexity and savory, balsamic and mineral notes.
What is the best thing about Lambrusco wines?
The best of the best are never expensive.
What is another common name for “metodo ancestrale” or ancestral method?
Rifermentazione naturale in bottiglia (natural re-fermentation in the bottle)
What influences does quality Lambrusco wine reflect?
-The varieties of the Lambrusco grapes used
-The diverse character of the different terroirs where the grapes were grown.
What are the typical characteristics of Lambrusco wines from the plains?
They tend to be more fragrant, fruity and perfumed but are lighter in colour and structure with less acidity and tannin.
What are the typical characteristics of Lambrusco wines from the hills?
They are fully-bodied, more structured and austere, less fruity and more mineral, spicy and herbal.
Where do some of the best examples of Lambrusco come from?
Single-vineyard wines, which may hail from either the plains where yields are controlled by growers or from hillsides, where yields are naturally restricted.
In recent years, the classic Lambrusco wine style has gradually found its way into export markets. How can a consumer differentiate between the classic Lambrusco and the commercially bottled Lambrusco?
The classic Lambrusco are DOC wines bottled with a mushroom cork.
Sweet, mass-produced Lambrusco for export markets is usually labeled as IGT and bottled with a screw-cap.
How should Lambrusco be enjoyed?
Both quality levels are meant to be consumed young and slightly chilled.
What foods are the perfect wine pairing for Lambrusco?
The local Emilia cuisine based on pasta, cheese, cream, butter and cured meats, like prosciutto and salame.
The bubbles and high acidity serve to cut through the fat and creamy richness of the local fare and, according to common belief, help digestion.
Name the appellations located in the Lambrusco District.
1) Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC
2) Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC
3) Lambrusco Salamino di Santo Croce DOC
4) Modena (or di Modena) DOC
5) Reggiano DOC
6) Colli di Scandiano e di Canossa DOC
Where is Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC located?
The appellation surrounds the hamlet of Sorbara and includes the city of Modena and the plain which surrounds it to the north and the northeast.
What styles of wine are produced under Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC?
-rosso or rosato
-frizzante or spumante
What are the varietal requirements of wines from Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC?
-min. 60% Lambrusco di Sorbara
-max. 40% Lambrusco Salamino
What are the characteristics of wines from Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC?
The wines show delicate and fragrant aromas of red fruit, pink grapefruit and violets. They are elegant, high in acidity and are finished dry or off-dry.
The wines crafted to the south of Modena, where the land becomes hillier, tend to be more structured.
Which of the Lambruscos is considered the classic example of traditional Lambrusco and is the most renowned?
Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC
Where is Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC located?
The hills at the base of the Northern Apennines around the town of Castelvetro south of Modena.
What styles of wine can be produced under Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC?
-rosso or rosato
-frizzante or spumante
-dry to off-dry
What are the characteristics of wines from Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC?
They are considered the fullest-bodied, most structured and most concentrated of the Lambrusco grapes.
The wines show a deeper, purple-red colour, higher acidity and a noticeable tannic grip. They boast red and black fruit, while hinting of flowers and displaying an earthy component with a touch of balsamic.
Residual sugar, if present, is needed to balance the high levels of tannin and acidity often found in this wine.
Which of the Lambrusco varieties is often considered some of the best on the market, despite the fact that they are considered “less typical” due to their intensity of flavour and denser structure?
Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC
Where is Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce DOC located?
Around the small hamlet of Santa Croce on the plain north of Modena. The DOC lies north of the Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC.
Note: this DOC has the highest production numbers of all of the Lambrusco DOCs.
What styles of wine can be produced in Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce DOC?
-rosso or rosato
-frizzante or spumante
-usually dry
What style of wine is produced from Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce DOC?
They wine style falls between Lambrusco di Sorbara and Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro.
Where is Modena DOC located?
This DOC largely encompasses the plain to the north and the hills to the south of Modena. It completely overlaps the three Lambrusco DOCs.
What styles of wine can be produced from Lambrusco di Modena DOC?
-rosso or rosato
-frizzante or spumante
-base on one or more of the Lambrusco varities
-dry or off-dry
What are the characteristics of wines from Lambrusco di Modena DOC?
Tend to demonstrate a simpler, lighter style of Lambrusco characterized by crispness, fragrance and fresh fruitiness.
What are the limitations of Lambrusco di Modena DOC?
It cannot carry the name of a specific Lambrusco variety even if it is made from a single Lambrusco grape - all bottlings must be labeled with the general “Lambrusco” name.
What rossos or rosatos does the Modena DOC include?
Blends with Lambrusco grapes plus other local varieties.
Both the Lambrusco and the red blend can be produced as novello.
Which white wines are made under the Modena DOC?
1) single varietal
2) frizzante Pignoletto
3) frizzante bianco made from a blend of:
-Pignoletto
-Montuni
-Trebbiano Romagnolo
What is one of the most traditional and prestigious products of Emilia, made only in Reggio Emilia and Modena?
Aceto Balsamic Tradizionale (traditional balsamic vinegar)
Modena is usually considered to craft the most prestigious of the two.
How is Aceto Balsamic Tradizionale made?
Grape must from Lambrusco or Trebbiano Romagnolo grapes is boiled down into a sweet syrup that is then fermented until it reaches an abv of 4-5%.
This very sweet wine is then transferred into small wooden barrels not filled completely to the top, allowing for air contact. During the maturation process (oxidation/evaporation) the wine slowly turns into vinegar. During the transformation the liquid is transferred into progressively smaller barrels of different wood types (oak, cherry, acacia and chestnut among others) each imparting a different flavour and is key to the unique character of the finished product.
During aging, the vinegar becomes progressively sweeter and more concentrated.
What is the aging period for Aceto Balsamic Tradizionale?
By law, this vinegar must be aged for a min. 12 years.
The extra-vecchio (extra-old) version is aged for 24 years.
The barrels are managed using a system similar to the Solera of Jerez.
Producers often keep vinegars that are more than 50, or even 100 years old, although they are rarely sold.
What are the characteristics of Aceto Balsamic Tradizionale?
It is dark in colour, syrupy, sour-sweet and extraordinarily complex.
How can authentic Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena or Reggio Emilia be identified?
By the DOP logo (Denominazione di Origine Protetta)
It is distinct from the more common and considerably less expensive Aceto Balsamic (w/o the word Tradizionale), which is a mass-produced product made from simple vinegar that is sweetened and coloured with caramel.
What is Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale used for?
It is only used in small quantities (by the dropful), usually to enrich food such as Parmigiano Reggiano, fish, porcini mushrooms or strawberries.
Locals also sip it as a tonic or liqueur.
Where is the Reggiano DOC located?
It encompasses the area around the city of Reggio Emilia, specifically, the plain that extends to its north, and the hills that lie to its south.
What styles of wine are produced in Reggiano DOC?
1) Still or frizzante rosso blend based on:
-Ancellotta and
-Lambrusco varieties
2) Still, frizzante, or spumante blend of:
-various Lambrusco varieties (labeled with the generic name Lambrusco)
3) Varietal:
-Lambrusco Salamino
4) Spumante bianco made from one or more of the:
-Lambrusco varieties.
Both Lambrusco (2) and the rosso blend (1) can be produced as novella.
What styles of Lambrusco are produced in Reggiano DOC?
The Reggiano Lambrusco DOC and the Reggiano Lambrusco Salamino DOC are among the lightest and easiest-drinking styles of Lambrusco.
Although, some rounder and fuller versions of these wines are produced in the higher vineyards of the southern hills.
Which of the Lambrusco producing DOCs is the most widely produced and exported?
The Reggiano Lambrusco DOC; due to its light and quaffable style.
Where is Colli di Scandiano e di Canossa DOC located?
This appellation lies southwest of Reggio Emilia and is a composite of plains and hills.
What styles of wines are produced in Colli di Scandiano e di Canossa DOC?
Among the most interesting wines w/in this DOC:
1) Bianco classico
-Spergola (native white grape grown w/in the classico zone of production)
-still or frizzante
-from dry to sweet
2) Single varietal
-Spergola
-still or frizzante
-from dry to sweet
A wide palette of grapes are used to produce a range of wines that includes both blends and single-varietals.
Although, still and spumante wines are produced, most wines are crafted in a frizzante style.
What are the important grape varieties found in Colli di Scandiano e di Canossa DOC
1) Spergola (white)
2) Malvasia
3) Lambrusco Grasparossa
4) Lambrusco Montericco
5) Malbo Gentile
6) Cabernet Sauvignon
7) Sauvignon Blanc
The Lambruscos hailing from where in Colli di Scandiano e di Canossa DOC are considered among the finest Lambruscos made?
Hillside vineyards
Where is the Bologna district located?
The Bologna district encompasses both the plains to the north and west of the city, and the hills to the south of it.
Which is considered to be the most distinctive grape grown in the Bologna district?
The white Grechetto (Pignoletto); it is considered a specialty of the area.
Note: International grapes are also important in this district and account for some of the most impressive bottlings.
Where is Colli Bolognesi DOC located?
Belonging to the Bologna district, this appellation lies exclusively on the hills to the south and southwest of Bologna.
What styles of wine are produced in Colli Bolognesi DOC?
1) red blends
2) white blends
3) single-varietals from:
-Barbera
-Cabernet Sauvignon
-Merlot
-Sauvignon Blanc
-Chardonnay
Name the sub-zone within Colli Bolognesi DOC.
Bologna; it comprises a slightly more restricted area.
What styles of wine does the Bologna sub-zone focus on?
-red blends
-white blends
-sparkling wines
How many DOCGs does Emilia-Romagna have?
2
1) Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto DOCG
2) Romagna Albana DOCG
Where is Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto DOCG located?
The vineyards are located on the hills southwest of the city of Bologna in what is considered the variety’s historic home.
When did Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto achieve DOCG status?
The appellation was previously part of the Colli Bolognesi DOC but was separated and elevated to DOCG status in 2010.
What varietal is Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto DOCG based on?
Grechetto (Pignoletto); Bologna’s point of pride.
What are the requirements for wines from Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto DOCG?
-min. 85% Grechetto (Pignoletto)
Superiore wines made in the historic area of production are entitled to the ‘classico’ designation and require:
-min. 95% Grechetto (Pignoletto)
What styles of wine are produced in Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto DOCG?
-frizzante
-spumante
-superiore (still)
What are the characteristics of wines from Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto DOCG?
Light and crisp with aromas of citrus, apple and pear.
What areas does the Pignoletto DOC cover?
Around Bologna and some nearby villages in the province of Modena and Revenna.
Why was the Pignoletto DOC introduced and when?
This new DOC was introduced in 2014 to protect and regulate the Grechetto (Pignoletto)-based wines that were previously labeled as varietal Pignoletto.
What are the sub-zones of Pignoletto DOC?
1) Modena
2) Reno
3) Colli d’Imola
What styles of wine are produced under Pignoletto DOC?
-still
-frizzate
-spumante
-passito
-vandemmia tardiva
When was the name of the Pignoletto grape changed to Grechetto (Grechetto Gentile) and what is the significance of Pignoletto now?
2014
The name Pignoletto has instead been adopted to identify the historic area of production of the grape, corresponding to the area around the tiny hamlet of Pignoletto near the village of Monteveglio, located a few miles from Bologna.
What areas does the Reno DOC cover?
A large area primarily on the plains to the north and east of Bologna, and in the territory between Bologna and Modena.
What styles of wine are produced under Reno DOC?
White wine only:
1) White blend based on:
-Albana
-Trebbiano Romagnolo (Reno Bianco DOC)
2) Varietal wine based on:
-Montu (labled as Reno Montuni DOC)
What are the characteristics of Reno Montuni DOC wines?
High in acidity, light-bodied and have aromas of flowers and unripe citrus.
They can be:
-dry to sweet
-frizzante or spumante
These are some of the most popular wines from the Reno DOC appellation.
Where are almost all of Romagna’s appellations concentrated?
Along the Via Emilia running east of Bologna to the Marche border. This route traverses the cities of Imola, Faenza, Forli and Cesena.
The winegrowing areas lie on flat plains and in the hilly band at the foothills of the Northern Apennines (as in Emilia).
What are the calanchi and what problems does it present?
Calanchi are bare and arid clay-based rock formations that result from serious water erosion and are a common feature of the hilly landscape of Romagna.
The hills are particularly poorly draining, therefore erosion is a problem.
Where are the best wine-growing areas in Romagna?
Those found on the hills, but some producers obtain excellent results on the plain by carefully limiting yields.
How can the wines of Romagna be divided into two main quality levels based on the scale of production?
1) Smaller estates that focus on strict production criteria and work to showcase native grapes and distinctive terroirs.
2) The large cooperatives focus on the mass-production of simple, uncomplicated, fairly neutral wines largely crafted from Sangiovese and Trebbiano Romagnolo. They source their grapes from high-yielding vineyards planted on the fertile plains.
These wines have unfortunately weakened the reputation of the smaller estates.
Where is Romagna Albana DOCG located?
The hilly band east of Bologna stretching toward the Adriatic Sea.
Which appellation was Emilia-Romagna’s first DOCG and Italy’s first white DOCG?
Romagna Albana DOCG (1987)
Why was Romagna Albana’s status as a DOCG controversial?
The awarded status of DOCG was largely disputed since the appellation was not widely known outside Romagna and it was not considered to be worthy of such distinction.
Since then, producers have worked very hard to prove that the wines are indeed DOCG-worthy.
What was Romagna Albana previously known as?
Albana di Romagna
What styles of wine are produced in Romagna Albana DOCG?
Still wines produced in:
-dry (secco)
-medium-dry to medium-sweet (amabile)
-sweet (dolce)
-passito
-passito reserva (requires higher min. potential alcohol and a min. 1 year aging)
Often made from single-varietal and increasingly barrel-aged.
What are the characteristics of wines from Romagna Albana DOCG?
Well-structured, lightly tannic and show a typical vegetal-sage aroma coupled with floral, stone fruit and almond notes.
Dry versions are improving and becoming more common.
What style of wines from Romagna Albana DOCG are some of the most impressive?
Passito style
The passito technique seems to suit the Albana variety particularly well.
The best of the best hail from Bertinoro, a village with a long-standing Albana passito tradition.
What are the characteristics of passitos from Romagna Albana DOCG?
Rich and complex, often with extra layers of complexity contributed by noble rot.
The Romagna DOC is an umbrella DOC incorporating which 5 previously independent appellations as sub-designations within it?
1) Romagna Sangiovese DOC
2) Romagna Albana Spumante DOC
3) Romagna Cagnina DOC
4) Romagna Pagadebit DOC
5) Romagna Trebbiano DOC
On the label, the word Romagana must appear in front of each of the sub-designations.
What styles of wine are produced in Romagna Sangiovese DOC?
-superiore
-riserva
-novello
How many sub-zones are there in Romagna Sangiovese DOC? What are their requirements?
12 sub-zones
-smaller, more delineated zones of production
-require higher proportions of Sangiovese (95% versus 85%)
-lower yields
-slightly higher minimum alcohol levels.
What are the characteristics of Romagna Sangiovese DOC wines?
The best examples tend to be rounder, less acidic and possess softer tannins than their Toscana counterparts.
Exemplary bottlings can age well and develop further complexity.
Where is the zone of production for Romagna Albana Spumante DOC located?
It is identical to that of the Romagna Albana DOCG.
What style of wine is produced in Romagna Albana Spumante DOC?
Sparkling wine made from partially-dried Albana grapes. Made from tank or traditional method.
What style of wine is produced under Romagna Cagnina DOC?
A sweet red wine based on the Terrano grape, a variety known for its mouth-cleansing tannic bite.
When is Romagna Cagnina DOC released?
In October immediately following harvest and is best consumed fresh.
The locals drink these wines with roasted chestnuts.
What style of wine is produced from Romagna Pagadebit DOC?
White wine based on Bombino Bianco.
-still or frizzante
-dry or medium-sweet (amabile)
What does Pagadebit mean?
“Pays the debts” in local (Romagna) dialect.
A moniker earned by reliably delivering good harvest in even the worst of vintages.
Name the one sub-region of Romagna Pagadebit DOC.
Bertinoro
What style of wine is produced by Romagna Trebbiano DOC?
White wine made from the Trebbiano Romagnolo grape:
-still, semi-sparkling or sparkling versions
-finished dry or off-dry
Often incorporate a proportion of Trebbiano Toscano.
Which variety is co-planted with the Trebbiano Romagnolo grape in Romagna Trebbiano DOC?
Trebbiano Toscano; which is often incorporated into the wines.
What style of wine is produced from Romagna Trebbiano DOC?
Light and fresh wines meant for everyday consumption.
Considered the local, everyday white, they are traditionally consumed in seafood restaurants on the Riviera Romagnola.
Name the 4 appellations of the Romagna Hills.
From west to east:
1) Colli d’Imola DOC
2) Colli di Faenza
3) Colli Romagna Centrale DOC
4) Colli di Rimini DOC
Where are the 4 appellations of the Romagna Hills located?
On the hills running from Bologna to Rimini on the Adriatic Sea.
Which grape varieties do the appellations of the Romagna Hills focus on?
Each one focuses on several native and international grapes such as:
-Trebbiano Romagnolo
-Sangiovese
-Chardonnay
-Sauvignon Blanc
-Cabernet Sauvignon
What styles of wine are produced in appellations of the Romagna Hills?
-red blends
-white blends
-single-varietal wines
Where is Bosco Eliceo DOC located?
This appellation lies on the Adriatic coast along a narrow strip of land stretching from just south of the Po River delta to south of Ravenna.
What is vini delle sabbie?
Meaning “wines of the sands,” it refers to the wines of Bosco Eliceo DOC whose grapes grow in a predominantly sandy soil.
How high is the sand content in the soil of Bosco Eliceo DOC? How is this beneficial to the vines?
The vineyards have such high sand content (up to 95-97%) that phylloxera cannot survive here.
Many of the vines are ungrafted.
What is the influence of the Adriatic Sea on the wines of Bosco Eliceo DOC?
The proximity to the seat is said to lend a salty-marine character to the wines.
What is the most renowned wine produced by Bosco Eliceo DOC?
Bosco Eliceo Fortana, made from the ancient and rare native red Fortana grape, locally known as the uva d’oro (golden grape).
What styles of wine are produced under Bosco Eliceo DOC?
-still, vivace or frizzante
-from dry to sweet
What are the characteristics of Bosco Eliceo DOC wines?
They are fruity, moderate in alcohol, high acidity and possess a tannic grip.
What food is Fortana traditionally paired with?
Eels
