Emilia-Romagna runs across the top of Italy from the Adriatic Sea almost to the west coast. The capital and largest city is Bologna.
The region combines two historical areas: Emilia to the west, and Romagna on the east coast.
The best known wine regions are:
Emilia in the west, is known for producing Lambrusco.
Romagna in the east along the Adriatic coast, is known for producing Sangiovese wines (Sangiovese di Romagna).
Colli Piacentini in the southwest, is known for producing a variety of wines, including Gutturnio and Bonarda.
Emilia-Romagna led by Bologna, Modena, Reggiano and Parma is a Mecca of food.
Emilia-Romagna's wines are a natural complement to the region's cuisine, which includes Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, Prosciutto ham , balsamic vinegar, pasta dishes like Tagliatelle al Ragù (Bolognese sauce), and more.
Lambrusco is particularly versatile and pairs well with a range of dishes.
Emilia-Romagna is home to both local (Lambrusco, Albana), national (Sangiovese, Trebbiano), and international (Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon) grape varieties. The key grapes are:
Emilia-Romagna is most famous for its production of Lambrusco, a sparkling red wine.
There are several types of Lambrusco with varying levels of sweetness and acidity: Dry - Secco, slightly sweet - Amabile, and sweet - Dolce.
Emilia-Romagna have five Lambrusco DOCs:
Sangiovese is widely planted in Emilia-Romagna where it is known for producing medium to full-bodied red wines.
The most famous is Sangiovese di Romagna DOC.
Albana is a local white grape variety that is used to produce Albana di Romagna, the first white wine in Italy to receive DOCG status.
Emilia Romagna enjoys has a mild continental climate: Wet winters and dry summers.
The most important landmark is the River Po. It is responsible for cooling breezes that are vital in the flat terrain.
Unlike Toscana and Piemonte, the wine growers cannot rely on elevation and the moderating effects of diurnal temperatures.
One exception is the hills around Bologna with the sandstone and limestone terroirs of the Colli Bolognesi, with some very high-quality wine production.
The plains around the Po Valley are known for their fertile alluvial soils, ideal for growing grapes. The area is particularly well-suited for producing sparkling wines like Lambrusco.
The hills of the Apennines has a mix of clay, sand, and limestone soils, providing excellent drainage and mineral content, ideal for producing high-quality wines.
Black Grapes |
White Grapes |
20% Lambrusco |
Red Wines |
White Wines |
Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto DOCG
Romagna Albana DOCG
Bosco Eliceo DOC
Colli Bolognesi DOC
Colli d’Imola DOC
Colli di Faenza DOC
Colli di Parma DOC
Colli di Rimini DOC
Colli di Scandiano e di Canossa DOC
Colli Piacentini DOC
Colli Romagna Centrale DOC
Emilia-Romagna DOC
Gutturnio DOC
Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC
Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC
Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce DOC
Modena DOC
Ortrugo dei Colli Piacentini DOC
Reggiano DOC
Reno DOC
Romagna DOC
Alcohol can be addictive. Always drink in moderation.
© Copyright 2015-2024 W3 Wine School. All Rights Reserved.