Italy - Emilia Romagna

Question 1

Emilia-Romagna General Info

Answer 1

While the gastronomic creations of the Emilia-Romagna region are world-renowned—this is the home of Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, and Modena’s Balsamic vinegar—the wines are less remarkable.

Emilia-Romagna currently has two DOCG appellations, but neither is considered a wine of tremendously high repute.

Emilia-Romagna’s indifferent standard of quality (barely 15% of the region’s output is DOC level) is underpinned by the region’s huge quantities of production. In the central provinces of Modena and Reggio, this production is nearly monopolized by Lambrusco.

Several DOCs, including Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro, Lambrusco di Sorbara, and Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce, produce frizzante red wines from over sixty subvarieties of the Lambrusco variety. Sparkling Lambrusco wines, made in a range from dry to dolce, are prevalent in Emilia-Romagna but not exclusive to the region: the Lambrusco Montovano DOC lies just over the regional border in Lombardy.

In the 1970s, Banfi’s “Riunite” brand catapulted Lambrusco into the international spotlight and became one of Italy’s biggest export success stories, but the image of the wine today suffers from low expectations. Regardless, quality Lambrusco exists and good bottles provide a refreshing partner for the cured meats of the region.

Question 2

DOCG of

Emilia Romagna

Answer 2

Colli Bolognese Classico Pignoletto DOCG
(95% min Pignoletto)
(W!)

Romagna Albana DOCG
(95% min Albana)
(W!)

NOTE:

• All about food - “bolognese”, and “romagna”
• 95% min of main grape for both DOCG

Question 3

Clones of

Lambrusco varietals.

Answer 3

Lambrusco Salamino
(di Santa Croce DOC - 85%)

Lambrusco di Sorbara
(di Sorbara DOC - 85% minimum combined clones)
(60% min Sorbara clone + 40% Max Salamino clone)
(15% max other clones)

Lambrusco Grasparossa
(di Castelvetro DOC - 85%)

~~~~~~~~~~

Note:
- There are so many more…

Question 4

Colli Bolognese Classico Pignoletto DOCG

(W!)

Answer 4

Bianco Only!!

95% min Pignoletto
(aka: Grechetto)

~9 tons/ha~
~12% min ABV~

*released 4/1

Question 5

What styles of wine are made in

Romagna Albana DOCG?

Answer 5

• *White Only!!**
• (all are 95% min Albana)*

Secco
(12% min ABV)

• Amibile*
• (12.5% - 12-30 g/l)*
• Dolce*
• (12.5% {8.5} - 45-80 g/l)*

Passito
(284 g/l min Must Weight)
17% min ABV {12.5}

Passito Riserva
(400 g/l min Must Weight)
24% **min ABV **{4-11}

Question 6

Romagna Albana DOCG

(W!)

Answer 6

Bianco Only!!
Normale/Dry - Amabile - Dolce
Passito - Passito Riserva

95% min Albana
~10 tons/ha~

Normale/Dry
~12% min ABV~

Amabile
~12.5% min ABV~

12-30 g/l RS

Dolce
~12.5% min ABV~
~{8.5% actual}~

45-80 g/l RS

Passito
~17% min ABV~
~{12.5% actual}~

284 g/l min Must Weight

*can dry until 3/30 at latest
**cannot vinify until 10/15
***released 9/1 year after harvest

Passito Riserva
~24% min ABV~
~{4-11% actaul}~

400 g/l min Must Weight
*released 12/1 year after harvest

Must show “Muffa Noble”
(noble rot)

Question 7

Requirements of

Romagna Albana DOCG
‘Amabile’

Answer 7

95% min Albana

~10 tons/ha~
~12.5% min ABV~

12-30 g/l RS

Question 8

Requirements of

Romagna Albana DOCG
‘Dolce’

Answer 8

95% min Albana

~10 tons/ha~
~12.5% min ABV~
~{8.5% actual}~

45-80 g/l RS

Question 9

Requirements of

Romagna Albana DOCG
‘Passito’

Answer 9

95% min Albana

~10 tons/ha~
~17% min ABV~
~{12.5% actual}~

284 g/l min Must Weight

*can dry until 3/30 at latest
**Cannot vinify until 10/15
***released 9/1 year after harvest

Question 10

Requirements of

Romagna Albana DOCG
‘Passito Riserva’

Answer 10

95% min Albana

~10 tons/ha~
~24% min ABV~
~{4-11% actual}~

400 g/l min RS

*released 12/1 year after harvest

Must show “Muffa Noble”
(noble rot)