Emilian viticulture has its roots in tradition and vocation in history and offers a wealth of wines that accompany and complement local gastronomic masterpieces. Discover Emilia, a rich and generous land for wine production which from Piacenza to Reggio Emilia, passing through Parma, offers hidden treasures.
Piacenza viticulture has its roots in remote times between the 10th and 7th centuries BC.
There are four principles of Piacenza viticulture: Barbera and Croatina with red grapes, for the production of Gutturnio DOP, the main Piacenza red wine, Malvasia di Candia Aromatica for the aromatic white Colli Piacentini DOP Malvasia and Ortrugo, an indigenous vine for the fresh Ortrugo dei Colli Piacentini DOP.
Piacenza viticulture today covers approximately 5,000 cultivated hectares of hilly territory characterized by a very variable orography and a wide range of soils cultivated with vines, from very clayey to silty loam, from strongly calcareous and alkaline to decarbonated and sub-acid ; all this contributes to making the hills of Piacenza an interesting territory for viticulture, from which niches of suitability for a particular grape variety or a particular type of wine can emerge.
The controlled denomination of origin of “Colli Piacentini” wines must be followed by one of the following mentions or by reference to the name of one of the following vines:
Gutturnio is undoubtedly the main Piacenza red wine produced in the Frizzante, Superiore and Riserva types. Obtained from the blend of Barbera and Croatina grapes, the production area is completely hilly and crosses the entire Piacenza area from west to east. The name Gutturnio derives from “Gutturnium”, a silver cup used by the Romans which was found in the sands of the Po in 1878.
The “Gutturnio” controlled designation of origin wines must be obtained from grapes coming from vineyards with the following ampelographic composition: Barbera (from 55 to 70%), Croatina (locally called Bonarda) from 30 to 45%. Gutturnio DOC Colli Piacentini is produced in one of the following versions: sparkling, Superiore, Classico Superiore, Riserva, Classico Riserva. The Superiore and Riserva types can age for years, improving their organoleptic characteristics. The Riserva type must rest for at least six months in wooden barrels and must be marketed two years after the harvest. The wording Classico, present on some bottles in the “still” version, identifies a wine produced in the historic areas of the Controlled Designation of Origin.
Traditionally produced in the sparkling variety, it takes its name from the native vine and is one of the most widespread white grape wines in the Piacenza Hills. Ortrugo can also be sparkling, while the still version is very rare.
Always cultivated and used as a blending grape, it was only in the seventies that it began to be vinified in purity, quickly becoming the most widespread white. The first mentions date back to 1818, cited as “altruga”, a dialectal expression meaning “other grape”, precisely because it is traditionally vinified together with other vines.
With a delicate aroma, it is a drinkable wine that goes well with the local gastronomy; it is excellent as an aperitif or as a wine throughout the meal, it goes well with light starters, dry pasta and risottos with sauces and vegetables.
The history of viticulture in the Colli di Parma dates back to the Napoleonic era and continues to this day with the cultivation of four historic vines: Malvasia di Candia Aromatica and Sauvignon Blanc with white grapes, Barbera and Bonarda, with red grapes. The most suitable area for Parma wine production includes the land between the Enza river to the east and the Stirone stream to the west, with an altitude between 200 and 800 meters above sea level.
The “Colli di Parma” controlled designation of origin is reserved for wines that meet the conditions and requirements established by the production specifications, for the following types:
“Colli di Parma” red (also in the sparkling type);
“Colli di Parma” Malvasia (also in the sparkling and sparkling types);
“Colli di Parma” Sauvignon (also in the sparkling and sparkling types);
“Colli di Parma” Chardonnay (also in the sparkling and sparkling types);
“Colli di Parma” Pinot Bianco (also in the sparkling and sparkling types);
“Colli di Parma” Pinot Grigio (also in the sparkling types);
“Colli di Parma” Sparkling Wine;
“Colli di Parma” Pinot Noir;
“Colli di Parma” Merlot;
“Colli di Parma” Cabernet Franc;
“Colli di Parma” Cabernet Sauvignon;
“Colli di Parma” Barbera (also in the sparkling types);
“Colli di Parma” Bonarda (also in the sparkling types);
“Colli di Parma” Lambrusco (also in the sparkling types).
Viticulture in Reggio Emilia dates back to Roman times, as can be seen from the mosaics from the 1st century BC. preserved at the Civic Museums of Reggio Emilia. Lambrusco is undoubtedly the main grape variety in this area. In the Reggiano Lambrusco denomination there are different varieties of Lambrusco belonging to the Lambrusco family, such as Lambrusco Salamino, Maestri, Oliva, Sorbara, Marani, Grasparossa, Montericco, Viadanese, Barghi.
However, varieties should not be forgotten, such as the aromatic Malvasia di Candia and the native Spergola, which produce excellent and distinctive wines in the Colli di Scandiano and Canossa denomination.
The “Reggiano” controlled designation of origin is reserved for wines and partially musts
fermented products that meet the conditions and requirements of the production specifications for DOC Reggiano wines for the following types:
“Reggiano” Lambrusco (also sparkling and sparkling);
“Reggiano” Lambrusco Salamino (also sparkling);
“Reggiano” Rosso (also sparkling);
“Reggiano” White sparkling wine;
“Reggiano” new Lambrusco (also sparkling);
“Reggiano” New red.
The production area includes the territory of numerous municipalities in the province of Reggio Emilia. In the denomination of Reggiano Lambrusco DOP there may be several varieties of grapes, belonging in any case to the large Lambrusco family, including the varieties of Lambrusco Marani, Lambrusco salamino, Lambrusco Montericco, Lambrusco Maestri, Lambrusco di Sorbara, Lambrusco grasparossa, Lambrusco Viadanese, Lambrusco olive, Lambrusco Barghi.
The controlled designation of origin “Colli di Scandiano e di Canossa” is reserved for wines and products
partially fermented musts that meet the conditions and requirements of the production specifications with the following typologies:
“Colli di Scandiano e Canossa” Sauvignon (also in the sparkling, passito and reserve types);
“Colli di Scandiano e Canossa” Malvasia (also in the sparkling, sparkling and passito types);
“Colli di Scandiano e Canossa” Pinot (also in the sparkling and sparkling types);
“Colli di Scandiano e Canossa” Chardonnay (also in the sparkling and sparkling types);
“Colli di Scandiano e Canossa” Lambrusco Grasparossa (also in the sparkling type);
“Colli di Scandiano e Canossa” red Lambrusco Montericco (also in the sparkling type);
“Colli di Scandiano e Canossa” Lambrusco Montericco rosé (also in the sparkling type);
“Colli di Scandiano e Canossa” Cabernet Sauvignon (also in the reserve type);
“Colli di Scandiano e Canossa” Marzemino (also in the sparkling, new and passito types);
“Colli di Scandiano e Canossa” Malbo Gentile (also in the sparkling, new and passito types);
“Colli di Scandiano e Canossa” Lambrusco (also in the sparkling types);
“Colli di Scandiano e Canossa” Spergola (also in the sparkling, sparkling and passito types);
“Colli di Scandiano e Canossa” white (also in the sparkling and sparkling types);
“Colli di Scandiano e Canossa” classic white (also in the sparkling type);
“Colli di Scandiano e Canossa” red (also in the sparkling and new types).
Among the wines with Typical Geographical Indication (IGT), the largest by production area is certainly IGT Emilia which includes the territory of numerous municipalities in the three provinces of Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia, as well as Ferrara, Modena and part of the province of Bologna .
In the province of Piacenza we also find IGT Terre di Veleja and IGT Valtidone, while in the province of Parma we have IGT Fortana del Taro.
