Have you ever heard of Albana di Romagna wine? Continue reading the article to learn more about this typical drink of the region which has Bologna as its capital: I will reveal all its secrets, starting with its name, to then describe what you will taste when you try it.
A fine wine
Already centuries ago Plinio il vecchio and Catone wrote about Albana (the name probably comes from the Latin Albus, white), defining it as an excellent and valuable wine, and Galla Placidia – daughter of Theodosius – praised its “sweetness”. In fact, Albana represents one of the major wine excellences of Emilia Romagna, so much so as to be the first Italian white wine to receive the DOCG in 1987.
A real rediscovery in wine making
Although, traditionally, it was always considered a classic “farmer’s wine”, particularly fragrant and sweet, recently it has undergone an authentic rediscovery, which has given it a second life, declined in various versions that make it extremely versatile when it comes to combining it with food. A trend witnessed by the growing number of wineries that wanted to focus on this vine and its variants.
The white grape variety is present only in Romagna. The area of production includes the municipalities of Bertinoro – which represents the heart of the area -, Borgo Tossignano, Casalfiumanese, Castel San Pietro, Dozza Imolese, Fontanelice, Castrocaro, Meldola, Montiano and Roncofreddo, between the provinces of Forlì and Bologna .
Its particular taste
You will certainly be asking yourself what this wine tastes like. I’ll settle that for you right away. Dry Albana presents intense fruity notes – like apricots, peach, citrus, figs -, with an intense bouquet, mighty structure and body, high sapidity and roundness. It is golden in colour. It expresses its full potential after a year’s aging in bottle. It is particularly recommended combined with fish, carpaccio, rabbit, goose and duck with orange and baked lasagna.
The semi-sweet Albana and the sweet Albana, in some cases sparkling, are instead used to accompany dry pastries, romagnola donuts and zuppa inglese. The Albana passito and riserva, count, respectively, on 10 and 13 months of aging. The color has a tendency towards golden and amber, with a fragrance of wilted flowers, dried fruit and spices, while to the taste sweetness and warmth prevail, with a lively base note.
The aging – with or without the presence of noble rot, called Botrys – proved to be a technique able to offer a first quality product. It certainly plays a key role for the success of a wine like that.
The companies that produce it
Among the various producers of this decidedly Made in Italy wine are Fattoria Zerbina, Celli Winery, Fattoria Paradiso, Umberto Cesari. You are certainly spoilt for choice on where to find this delicacy! You just have to decide which one to choose.
Now you know everything about the wine called Albana di Romagna. Continue to follow us to find out what other typical wines the Bel Paese has to offer: we have many others to talk about. See you soon with another article!
