Region: Emilia Romagna
Quality Level in EU/Italian Wine Law: Pignoletto DOC
Established: Established as DOC in 2014. Previously produced under Colli Bolognesi DOC
Primary Grape Varietals: Varietal 85% Grechetto Gentile. Can be blended with Pinot Nero when vinified as white wine or other approved white varietals.
Pairs with: It pairs well with fish or a platter of cold cuts.
Characteristics: The wine has an undercurrent of citrus, orange blossom and a chalky minerality, sea spray, and a bitter almond finish on the back palate.
Serve: Room Temperature
Have you ever been to Bologna or Modena or any of the great food and wine cities of the Emilia Romagna region of Italy? If you have not – you should because this region may have the best food in all of Italy. An amazing thing to say but the reputation of Emilia Romagna and their dedication to food and wine tradition speaks for itself. There are great restaurants all over Italy and the world but yet the #1 restaurant in the world is in Modena.
When I am there, I prefer eating the Bolognese and Tortellino in Brodo – two amazing dishes and the Lambrusco is so delicious. Not like the Lambrusco most Americans think of but a delicious, well made and food friendly frizzante wine. Also in this region, one will find the Pignoletto wines – white wines produced from Grecchetto Gentile in a varietal blend. Pignoletto produces still white wines, sparkling wines of the same blends and late harvest and Passito wines.
The more basic wines are produced under the Pignoletto DOC while the Superiore wines fall under the higher level Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto DOCG. Colli Bolognesi literally just means the Hills of Bologna. The DOCG produces Superiore wines of the same varietal blend and a classic version from the Classico subzone at 95% Grecchetto. Locals call the grape Pignoletto but it has been genetically shown to be the Grechetto di Todi grape. The superior versions are aged at least a year before release while DOC wines have no aging requirement.
The name Pignoletto is said to have come from Pliny the Elder in his writings about wine being “Pino Lieto” – not sweet enough to be good. Today the wines are made in the styles mentioned above as another example of the versatility of Grecchetto grapes. The finished wines are green-tinged straw in color and simple flavors of green pear. In general, the wine goes well with tortellini, cold riso salads and antipasti.
Quality Level in EU/Italian Wine Law: Pignoletto DOC
Established: Established as DOC in 2014. Previously produced under Colli Bolognesi DOC
Primary Grape Varietals: Varietal 85% Grechetto Gentile. Can be blended with Pinot Nero when vinified as white wine or other approved white varietals.
Pairs with: It pairs well with fish or a platter of cold cuts.
Characteristics: The wine has an undercurrent of citrus, orange blossom and a chalky minerality, sea spray, and a bitter almond finish on the back palate.
Serve: Room Temperature
Have you ever been to Bologna or Modena or any of the great food and wine cities of the Emilia Romagna region of Italy? If you have not – you should because this region may have the best food in all of Italy. An amazing thing to say but the reputation of Emilia Romagna and their dedication to food and wine tradition speaks for itself. There are great restaurants all over Italy and the world but yet the #1 restaurant in the world is in Modena.
When I am there, I prefer eating the Bolognese and Tortellino in Brodo – two amazing dishes and the Lambrusco is so delicious. Not like the Lambrusco most Americans think of but a delicious, well made and food friendly frizzante wine. Also in this region, one will find the Pignoletto wines – white wines produced from Grecchetto Gentile in a varietal blend. Pignoletto produces still white wines, sparkling wines of the same blends and late harvest and Passito wines.
The more basic wines are produced under the Pignoletto DOC while the Superiore wines fall under the higher level Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto DOCG. Colli Bolognesi literally just means the Hills of Bologna. The DOCG produces Superiore wines of the same varietal blend and a classic version from the Classico subzone at 95% Grecchetto. Locals call the grape Pignoletto but it has been genetically shown to be the Grechetto di Todi grape. The superior versions are aged at least a year before release while DOC wines have no aging requirement.
The name Pignoletto is said to have come from Pliny the Elder in his writings about wine being “Pino Lieto” – not sweet enough to be good. Today the wines are made in the styles mentioned above as another example of the versatility of Grecchetto grapes. The finished wines are green-tinged straw in color and simple flavors of green pear. In general, the wine goes well with tortellini, cold riso salads and antipasti.
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