v i n o t o u r - Turismo del vino

	*Tasting*

“… The region Romagna attains outstanding results in the number of Three Glasses: nine Sangioveses awarded a prize (ten counting also Montepirolo ’07, a wine from Romagna yet formally registered in the Marche). These results are attained thanks to wines with a character which begin to speak a common language and to narrate their territories: the lower clay, the limestone at Bertinoro, the upper and neat zones of the marly-arenacaous land. Beside these results a bunch of base Sangioveses have to be high- lighted: more and more convincing both for their qualities and for being wines with their own strong identity. The tenth Three Glasses from Romagna is worth some separate words: the Montepirolo ’06, a Bordeaux-like blend made by the drug rehabilitation centre of San Patrignano, comes from a territory called Colli Riminesi [the hills surrounding Rimini] which have a special vocation and peculiar climatic conditions with thermal curves ruled by the sea. Though only a few vine- dressers are to be mentioned so far yet we can start talking of an interesting feature: a small “Bolgheri” area by the Adriatic Sea”. (Translated from “vinid’Italia 2010”, Gambero Rosso ed., by Guido Penso)

Important wines and good cuisine.
To get to know our wines you can visit the «Cà de Bé» (House of Wine) in Bertinoro, Predappio Alta and Ravenna, or enjoy your tasting at the Enoteca Regionale located in the Castle of the little town of Dozza.

Naturally we are very proud of our oldest vine, the Sangiovese: you certainly are aware that many of the most celebrated wines, i.e. Chianti and Vino Nobile, not mentioning Brunello, are produced from Sangiovese!

The Sangiovese of Romagna, whether blended or not with Cabernet Sauvignon, thanks to an attentive selection of varietals, has been revealed as one of the most interesting Italian wines.

From the hills surrounding Rimini north to Faenza, across Cesena and Forlì vineyards, no other area can offer so many opportunities of buying great wines at such competitive prices.

It must be pointed out that, like in some other parts of Italy, a few wines have gained fame outside the DOC: for example the "Borgo dei Guidi", the "Calbanesco", the "Magnificat" and the "Mito".

Our region is well known for its good cuisine, especially for pastas; we’re also proud of producing a couple of delicacies you will certainly appreciate: the EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL from Brisighella and the FORMAGGIO di FOSSA (PIT CHEESE) from the village of Sogliano al Rubicone. They really deserve a visit, but hurry up: since the demand is very great indeed, they won’t be available for a long time!

What's never missing on our table is piadina, the most traditional speciality of Romagna: it's a sort of unleavened flat bread, perfect for a bite when filled with salami, ham or cheese. At lunch or dinner our tradition suggests tagliatelle, cappelletti, strozzapreti, passatelli as first dishes; then either fish from the Adriatic sea or mixed grill, with the right wine. As desserts, beside the typical ones related to certain feasts: castagnole and frappe at Carnival, pagnotta pasquale at Easter, we recommend zuppa inglese, ciambella and the very traditional savòr, a sort of compote made of grape, apples, quinces, pears, dried fruits, almonds and sugar; albana passito DOCG to go with, of course.

White Wines of Romagna
ALBANA
The first Italian white wine to be granted the DOCG; the best comes from the vineyards around the little town of Bertinoro. (Get someone to tell you the story of this name, involving the Byzantine Princess Galla Placidia). It is produced as: Dry, Sweet, Sparkling and "Passito".

PAGADEBIT (Debt payer)
A name as curious as its origin: by selling these grapes, very resistant to cold and diseases, therefore always productive, the farmers were once able to pay off their debts.

TREBBIANO
Well known since roman times, during the vintage the vineyard colours offer a wonderful sight, especially if you happen to be among the grapes of the Trebbiano of the Flame (Trebbiano della Fiamma).

Red Wines of Romagna
SANGIOVESE
We romagnoli, once known as rabidly anticlerical persons, venerate Saint Jovese: in both varieties, big or little berries, he made the miracle of making the Wines of Romagna revive. Beside the basic version it is also produced as "Novello", Superiore and Riserva.

CAGNINA
A red and sweet still wine is a rather uncommon feature in the Italian wine outline; it's the first one to get on our tables (we usually drink it to go with roast chestnuts) and shouldn't outlive spring. First released after 10th of October.

D.O.C. and D.O.C.G.
Romagna (O.G. n.235 of October 8, 2011), Colli di Faenza, Bosco Eliceo, Colli d'Imola, Colli di Rimini, Colli della Romagna Centrale.