GG_N50_FR

ITALY
ORGANIC
TENUTA PEDERZANA GROWS A PARTICULAR CLONE OF LAMBRUSCO GRASPAROSSA, NAMELY LAMBRUSCO
GRASPAROSSA DI CASTELVETRO, WHICH LENDS ITS NAME TO THE LOCAL DOC
A
s its name suggests, Emilia-Romagna is a region with two souls, characterised
by plains covering the upper half and the Apennine Mountains in the lower half.
The climate is mostly continental, with cold winters and hot summers, and becomes
almost Mediterranean as you approach the coast. On the plains, the seasons are
defined by high humidity (which becomes fog in winter), while the Adriatic side, with
its favourable sea breezes, enjoys milder temperatures on average. Winegrowing
develops on a long strip that starts from the Piacentini hills, bordering the Oltrepò
Pavese area in Lombardy, and reaches the border with the Marche region, following
the famous Via Emilia.
In terms of the grape varieties grown in the region, Emilia-Romagna is also divided
in two. In Emilia, in the Piacenza area, the most widespread grape varieties are black
grapes such as Barbera and Croatina (Gutturnio DOC) and white grapes such as the
aromatic Malvasia di Candia and Moscato bianco, as well as the indigenous Ortrugo.
International varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and Pinot Grigio, Riesling
Italico and Müller-Thurgau are also widespread. The Parma area is more white wine
driven. The provinces of Reggio-Emilia and Modena are home to Lambrusco: Salamino,
Maestri, Marani, Montericco, Sorbara and Grasparossa (Ancellotta is also
very present here). In the Bologna area is Pignoletto, yielding the local DOCG Colli
Bolognesi Classico Pignoletto. In the Ferrara area, is the black grape Fortana (Bosco
Eliceo DOC). In Romagna, the most important grape variety is, of course, Sangiovese,
which is flanked by Trebbiano Romagnolo, Pagadebit and the noble Albana,
which produces Albana di Romagna DOCG.
As an illustration of the variety of Emilia-Romagna wines and the region’s focus on
sustainability, here is a selection of wineries.
WINTER 2022 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE
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