Great news about the emilia wine road

With its 11 controlled denominations of origin that generally correspond to the territorial districts, dozens of ‘minor’ autochthon vines and a more and more growing wine production, Emilia takes today its revenge, betting on the vines variety and on the respect of the ‘terroir’. From Piacenza with its Gutturnio, Ortrugo and Malvasia (vine that is present also in the Parma area), to the Lambrusco of Reggio and Modena, the Pignoletto, that grows on the hills around Bologna, the Fortana of Bosco Eliceo from Ferrara: emilian oenology tradition asks for its increasing quality levels to be acknowledged.

Colli Piacentini

The Colli Piacentini Doc is the first Designation of Origin label acknowledged in the Emilia Romagna Region in 1967. Its production area comprises the hills of the province of Piacenza and the label identifies both red and white wines. The best known wine is Gutturnio, made from Barbera and Croatina grapes. The other red wines included in the Colli Piacentini Doc are Bonarda, Pinot Nero, and Barbera. Among the white wines there is Ortugo. Malvasia, including Passito, is made from Malvasia di Candia vine variety.

Colli di Parma

Acknowledged in 1982, the Colli di Parma Doc is a Designation of Origin label that includes several important red and white wines produced in the hilly area of the province of Parma. Malvasia, a wine made from the homonymous grape Malvasia di Candia, which matches perfectly with Parma’s traditional cured meat products, is at the top of the list. Another white wine included in this designation is Sauvignon. Rosso Colli di Parma is a fresh and fragrant red wine made from Barbera and Bonarda grapes.

Reggiano

The Reggiano Doc is a Designation of Origin label acknowledged in 1971. It identifies four types of wines, namely Rosso, Lambrusco Rosso or Rosato, Lambrusco Salamino Rosso or Rosato and Bianco Spumante, produced in the province of Reggio Emilia. The red and rosé wines are perfectly suited to accompany local dishes such as Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and stewed meat. Bianco Spumante is made from Lambrusco Marani, Maestri, Salamino, Montericco, and Sorbara grapes vinified in white.

Colli di Scandiano e Canossa

The Colli di Scandiano and Canossa Doc is a Designation of Origin label acknowledged in 1996 and included in the Reggiano Doc area, as it identifies 15 municipalities of the province of Reggio Emilia. The best known product of this Doc is Bianco Classico Superiore, a fresh, aromatic and harmonious wine made from Sauvignon grapes. Again, the Lambrusco vine is widely represented with its varieties, namely Lambrusco Montericco Rosso, Lambrusco Montericco Rosato and Lambrusco Grasparossa.

Lambrusco grasparossa di Castelvetro

The Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Designation of Origin was acknowledged in 1970 and identifies 4 municipalities of the province of Modena. The Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Doc wine is mainly made from the homonymous vine, which takes its name from the typical vinous red colour of the grape stalk. It is meant to be drunk young. It matches well with Tortelloni with beans, Cotechino in camicia or Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

Lambrusco salamino di Santa Croce

The Doc wines of the province of Modena are all made from Lambrusco, particularly Lambrusco Salamino, Lambrusco Grasparossa and Lambrusco di Sorbara, which are the most popular and widespread local varieties, identified by three Designation of Origin labels. This Lambrusco has very similar features to Reggiano Doc Lambrusco, it is a wine to be drunk when still young and particularly suitable to accompany local specialities such as Cotechino with beans or lentils, and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

Lambrusco di Sorbara

Lambrusco di Sorbara, which obtained the Doc label in 1970, is produced within the territory of 12 municipalities of the province of Modena. The Doc took its name from a hamlet belonging to the municipality of Bomporto. It is a clear ruby red wine with an intense nose offering pleasant aromas of violet, wild strawberries, and raspberries. It always matches perfectly with the savoury dishes of the local tradition, such as pork rinds with beans, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and Lasagne with nettle.

Bosco Eliceo

This Designation, acknowledged in 1989, identifies an area that stretches from Ferrara’s lagoon areas up to the municipalities of Ravenna and Cervia, the land of the so-called “sand wines”, which are produced from grapes growing in sandy or salty areas. The best known wine is Fortana, ideal with the eel, the symbolic dish of Ferrara and its coastal line. The other Doc wines are Merlot, among the red ones, and Sauvignon, which stands out among the white ones.

Reno

The Reno Doc label was acknowledged in 1987 and includes 28 municipalities of the province of Bologna and 5 of the province of Modena. This Designation of Origin comprises three prestigious white wines, namely Montuni, Bianco and Pignoletto. Montuni, made from Montù grapes (at least 85%) is an indigenous wine of Bologna’s plain. Bianco is produced from Albana and Trebbiano Romagnolo grapes and other white grape vine varieties up to a maximum authorised quantity of 60%.

Colli bolognesi classico pignoletto

Acknowledged in 1997, this Doc label identifies the same production area as the Colli Bolognesi Doc. This wine is made from Pignoletto, Pinot Bianco, Riesling Italico and Trebbiano Romagnolo grapes. It is strawyellow in colour with pale green highlights and has fruity aromas and slightly herbaceous flowery notes on the nose. Being lightweight, fruity and delicate, it is perfect as an aperitif along with Italian-style appetizers, seafood hors d’oeuvres, Tigelle, vegetables, and eggs.

Colli bolognesi

This Doc label identifies 14 municipalities of the province of Bologna and a part of the municipality of Savignano sul Panaro, in the province of Modena. Particularly worth mentioning, among the large variety of red and white wines, is Pignoletto, an indigenous white grape vine producing delicate and lightweight wines, ideal as aperitifs and with seafood hors d’oeuvres. The other white wines included in this Doc are Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Bianco. The Colli Bolognesi Bianco wine is made from Albana and Trebbiano Romagnolo grape varieties.

I vini Igt

The production of Igt wines (Typical geographical indication) is disciplined by the Law no. 164 of February 10, 1992. At present, there are 117 Igt wines in Italy, 10 of which in the Emilia Romagna Region. In particular, the Igt wines aknowledged in Emilia are Bianco di Castelfranco Emilia, Emilia, Fortana del Taro, Provincia di Modena or Modena, Terre di Veleja, and Val Tidone. The label identifies a specific production area with uniform characteristics which give the wine a homogeneous character.