GRAPES
ALBANA … THE WHITE WINE EXCELLENCE OF ROMAGNA
The Albana was the first Italian white wine to be elevated to the D.O.C.G. (Controlled and Guaranteed Origin Denomination) status. Albana wine is usually straw-yellow in colour, with golden nuances. On the mouth, it is fruity, savoury and harmonic.
The history of this grape variety mix up in legend. It has been grown since far-off times in Romagna, where it was introduced by the Etruscans. It is especially grown on the hills of Romagna, particularly in Bertinoro as it is historically linked to this town. In fact, the legend says that in 435 the blonde and beautiful Galla Placidia, daughter of the Roman emperor Theodosius, one morning passed through Romagna and stopped in a little village.
The hospitable villagers offered her the Albana, the local sweet and full-bodied wine, in a humble cup of terracotta. The princess, entranced by the excellence of that nectar, exclaimed: ‘not so humble one ought to drink you, but from gold‘ (berti in oro). From then on, the village was thus called Bertinoro.
ALBANA AND THE LATE HARVESTS
The Albana Passito (wine made of dried grapes) was first produced at Celli‟s in the second half of the „80s, though in Romagna the tradition of hanging the grapes to dry out is much older. Usually the grapes qualified for the production of the Albana Passito are harvested in the first week of October and left to dry for at least 40 days, in order to get the right concentration.
Wine-pressing takes place at mid November, then the alcoholic fermentation follows. Finally the wine refines in barrique for 8 months.
Romagna Albana Spumante is the denomination of the sparkling Albana, made in accordance with the new regulations issued for the 1995 harvest. The maximum yield per ha shall not exceed 90 quintals. The grapes, harvested during the last week of September, naturally reach the sugary concentration on the plants.
