Albana is a white wine from Romagna with a multifaceted personality, capable of expressing itself in different variations, all tied to an ancient tradition and its land of origin. The Albana grape, from which it takes its name, must make up at least 95% of the vineyards from which the wine is produced, and may be complemented by up to 5% of other white grape varieties suitable for cultivation in Emilia-Romagna.
Its versions range from dry to sweet, including the medium-sweet (amabile) and the iconic passito, each with unique characteristics that make it suitable for different pairings and distinct moments of tasting.
Albana is Romagna
Albana is a wine that embodies the changing and passionate nature of Romagna: it can be dry and structured, sweet and enveloping—yet always authentic. It is a wine that thrives on metamorphosis, capable of offering very different sensory experiences, all deeply connected to the land from which it is born.
A Wine Between History and Legend
The origins of Albana are lost in history and interwoven with legend. A famous tale recounts that Galla Placidia, daughter of Emperor Theodosius the Great, while visiting Romagna in the 5th century AD, was offered the region’s golden wine in a terracotta bowl. After tasting it, enraptured, she exclaimed: “Not so humbly should you be drunk, but in gold.” From that episode, the town of Bertinoro—today recognized as the cradle of Albana—is said to have taken its name.
Even Frederick Barbarossa, while a guest in the Forlì hills, was so captivated by this wine that he indulged in frequent libations.
The grape variety and production area
Romagna Albana DOCG wine is produced from at least 95% pure Albana grapes, with the possible addition of other white grape varieties suitable for cultivation in Emilia-Romagna (up to a maximum of 5%). The production regulations cover a very wide area particularly suited to viticulture:
- Province of Ravenna: Castelbolognese, Riolo Terme, Faenza, Casola Valsenio, Brisighella
- Province of Forlì-Cesena: 10 municipalities
- Province of Bologna: 7 municipalities
Particularly significant is the production in the Senio and Lamone Valleys, where the hilly terrain and microclimate contribute to the unique character expressed in every bottle.
Albana Secco (Romagna Albana DOCG Dry)
- Color: straw yellow, tending towards golden with aging.
- Aroma: light, characteristic fragrance of Albana.
- Taste: dry, slightly tannic, warm, harmonious, and well-balanced.
- Minimum alcohol content: 12.00% vol.
- Serving temperature: about 10°C.
- Pairings: ideal as an all-meal wine, it pairs perfectly with fish dishes, snails, fried seafood, soups and fish stews, but also with goose liver, white meats, broth-based soups, and creams.
Albana Amabile (Romagna Albana DOCG Medium-Sweet)
- Color: straw yellow, tending towards golden in aged wines.
- Aroma: characteristic of Albana.
- Taste: medium-sweet, fruity, pleasant.
- Minimum alcohol content: 12.50% vol. Serving temperature: 6–7°C.
- Pairings: perfect with baked desserts, fruit tarts, panettone, cakes, and dry pastries. It also pairs well with fruit, except fresh figs, grapes, and citrus. Excellent with the traditional Romagna ciambella.
Albana Dolce (Romagna Albana DOCG Sweet)
- Color: straw yellow, tending towards golden in aged wines.
- Aroma: typical of Albana.
- Taste: sweet, fruity, pleasant.
- Minimum alcohol content: 12.50% vol.
- Serving temperature: 6–7°C.
- Pairings: as with the medium-sweet version, it is an excellent companion to baked desserts, cakes, fruit tarts, panettone, pastries, and non-acidic fruit. Also ideal with the traditional Romagna ciambella.
Albana Passito (Romagna Albana DOCG Passito)
- Color: golden yellow with amber hues.
- Aroma: intense and distinctive.
- Taste: velvety, medium-sweet or sweet, harmonious.
- Alcohol content: minimum actual 12%, total 15.5% vol.
- Residual sugars: minimum 70 g/l. Release for consumption: not before September 1st of the year following the harvest.
- Serving temperature: about 7°C.
- Pairings: dry pastries, blue-veined or noble-mold cheeses such as spicy gorgonzola. Also excellent enjoyed on its own, outside of meals.
Albana Passito Riserva (Romagna Albana DOCG Passito Riserva)
- Color: from straw yellow to bright golden yellow with amber reflections.
- Aroma: intense, with pronounced fruity notes and hints of noble rot.
- Taste: sweet, harmonious, intense.
- Minimum alcohol content: 24.00% vol.
- Release for consumption: not before December 1st of the year following the harvest.
