Grape Variety: Albana

Colour:

White

Among the most important white grapes of Emilia Romagna, Albana holds a pre-eminent position. Currently this variety is cultivated along the foothills of the Apennines, in the area that runs from the outskirts of Bologna, the regional capital city, all the way to the seashore, near the border of Marche. The production area includes vineyards in the provinces of Bologna, Forlì-Cesena, and Ravenna.

The origins of the Albana vine have been lost in the past.

It is said that once, Galla Placidia, daughter of the emperor Teodosio, during a stop in a small Romagna town, tasted the wine made with these grapes. Offered by local peasants, the wine was served to the princess in a terra cotta vase. She liked the wine so much that, as soon as she tasted it, she said: “Not in such a humble container should you be drunk, but rather in golden goblets, to honor your finesse!”. From then on, the story goes, at the imperial court of Ravenna the Albana wine was drunk in precious golden chalises. The small town where the princess first drank that nectar was at that time called Bertinoro (To Be Drunk in Gold), a name which has lasted to this day.

Dry white wines made from it can have a pale straw colour with a herbaceous and vinous nose, on the palate it can show powerful and complex flavours with a hint of bitterness, it can also be used to produce sweet wine (see the Scaccomatto (checkmate in Italian) by Zerbina in Faenza). This particular nectar has been described as one of Italy’s great sweet wines with stunning aromas of citrus, quince and grapefruit, its delightful sweetness is held in balance by lively acidity.