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Emilia-Romagna wine region

Green hills and trees in the Emilia-Romagna countryside, Italy

Photo: Lorenzo Bignami on Unsplash

Italy · Europe

Fizzy Lambrusco and everyday Sangiovese.

Vines grow in all 20 regions. Wines are classed DOCG, DOC and IGT.

CountryItaly
Key grapesLambrusco, Sangiovese, Albana, Trebbiano

Notable producers in Emilia-Romagna

Official appellations

AppellationStatusStyleGrapes
Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto (2010)
White wines from the hills south-west of Bologna, on clays, sands and marly soils between the Reno and Panaro rivers. At least 85% Grechetto Gentile (locally Pignoletto), as a still Superiore, frizzante or spumante; the Classico sub-zone (Superiore only, at least 95%) covers the original area and is released about a year after harvest. Good to know: the lighter, wider Pignoletto DOC covers fizzy everyday versions across a larger area.
DOCGWhite, Sparkling, FrizzanteGrechetto, Pinot Noir
Romagna Albana (1987)
In the hills of Romagna between Imola and Forlì-Cesena, Albana (at least 95%) makes a white with unusual grip and body. Styles are secco, amabile, dolce and passito, with a Passito Riserva that must show noble rot. Good to know: as Albana di Romagna it was Italy's first white DOCG in 1987, and it took its current name in 2011.
DOCGWhite, SweetAlbana
Bosco Eliceo
Coastal sands near Ferrara: tart Fortana reds.
DOCWhite, RedFortana
Colli Bolognesi
Hills south-west of Bologna.
DOCWhite, RedBarbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pignoletto
Colli di Faenza
Hills around Faenza.
DOCWhite, RedSangiovese
Colli d'Imola
Hills around Imola.
DOCWhite, RedSangiovese, Trebbiano
Colli di Parma
Frizzante Malvasia and reds from the Parma hills.
DOCWhite, RedMalvasia, Barbera
Colli di Rimini
Hills behind Rimini; Rebola is the local Grechetto.
DOCWhite, RedSangiovese, Rebola
Colli di Scandiano e di Canossa
Reggio Emilia hills.
DOCWhite, RedMalvasia, Lambrusco
Colli Piacentini
Piacenza hills: Gutturnio country.
DOCWhite, RedBarbera, Croatina, Malvasia
Colli Romagna Centrale
Central Romagna hills.
DOCWhite, RedSangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon
Gutturnio (1967)
Barbera-Croatina blend from the Piacenza hills, still or frizzante.
DOCRedBarbera, Croatina
Lambrusco di Sorbara
The palest, most fragrant and acidic Lambrusco, from sandy soils north of Modena.
DOCRed, SparklingLambrusco
Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro
The darkest, most tannic Lambrusco from the hills south of Modena.
DOCRed, SparklingLambrusco
Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce
Fruity, balanced Lambrusco from Santa Croce near Carpi.
DOCRed, SparklingLambrusco
Modena
Province-wide DOC for Lambrusco and other wines of Modena.
DOCRed, SparklingLambrusco
Ortrugo dei Colli Piacentini
Light, often frizzante white from the local Ortrugo grape.
DOCWhiteOrtrugo
Pignoletto
Pignoletto from the wider Bologna and Romagna area.
DOCWhite, SparklingGrechetto
Reggiano
Lambrusco and other wines from Reggio Emilia.
DOCRed, SparklingLambrusco
Reno
Plains DOC north of Bologna.
DOCWhite, RedAlbana, Trebbiano
Romagna
Romagna's main DOC: Romagna Sangiovese with 12 sub-zones, plus Trebbiano and Cagnina.
DOCRed, WhiteSangiovese, Trebbiano, Albana

Emilia-Romagna wines to try

Sparkling · Italy

Cleto Chiarli Vecchia Modena Premium

Emilia-Romagna · Lambrusco di Sorbara · Lambrusco

Pale, dry and frothy: strawberry, raspberry and bright acidity.

Food: Mortadella, tortellini, pizza

More wine regions in Italy

TuscanyPiedmontVenetoSicilyAosta ValleyLombardyTrentino-Alto AdigeFriuli-Venezia GiuliaLiguriaUmbriaMarcheLazioAbruzzoMoliseCampaniaPugliaBasilicataCalabriaSardinia

See Emilia-Romagna on the wine map

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