Emilia-Romagna

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The zone falls within the Provinces of Modena, Bologna, and Ravenna, and is broadly divided between a flatland area and a hillside area based on altitude.
• The plain extends from 2 to 70 metres above sea level, with valley floors reaching elevations of up to 150 metres, while hillside vineyards are situated predominantly below 700 metres altitude.
• From a pedological standpoint, sedimentary rocks predominate, with highly varied lithotypes including sandstones, clays, limestones, gypsum, sands, and conglomerates; the cultivated soils are predominantly sub-alkaline or alkaline, deep, and fine or moderately fine in texture.
• The temperature regime ranges from temperate sub-continental in the hillside area to cool temperate at higher elevations, while on the plain the climate takes on continental characteristics, with mean annual temperatures of around 14–16 degrees Celsius and a Winkler index of approximately 2,400 degree-days.
• Rainfall varies from 600 to 800 millimetres per year, concentrated mainly in the autumn period and secondarily in spring.

• As far back as Roman times, a sparkling and albano — that is, blonde — wine of a very distinctive character but insufficiently sweet to be considered pleasant was produced in the Bolognese countryside.
• Growers have moved away from the traditional tree-trained systems (alberate) to row-trained forms with permanent cordon and pendulous canes, adopting vine spacing aimed at limiting yields per hectare.

• The taste of the sparkling (frizzante) and fully sparkling (spumante) wines is moderately aromatic and fruity, with appreciable acidity and well-judged aromatic expression, often showing slightly bitter notes linked to the territory.
• The dried-grape (passito) and late-harvest styles display intense, delicate floral aromas of white flowers and fruity notes of ripe yellow fruit, with a medium-sweet or sweet, warm, and velvety palate.

• The breezy continental climate, well-drained soils, and significant diurnal temperature variation allow optimal ripening of the grape clusters and ensure freshness in the wines.
• The presence of rivers and streams descending from the Apennines keeps the soils of the plain and foothill areas cool and free from water stress, allowing more intensive cultivation systems and higher yields per hectare.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in Italy

Sources

• Specification (EUR-Lex, single document)
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-IT-02770
• Official trade body site — Consorzio Tutela Vini Emilia