For the first time we meet a producer out of the Bolognese Hills wine area, though we didn't move that far, around 40 km from Bologna to the hills of Imola.
I know it may sound strange, but from the viticultural point of view we are in a completely different world: different soils, warmer climate, different grape varieties, different traditional styles.
I am warmly welcomed by Jacopo, who now runs his family winery, established in the 60s by his grandfather.
Jacopo tells me the story of his typical Winery of Romagna, that until 1980 used to sell only bulk wine. They've been now aiming at a better quality for over 40 years, with a production that keeps on becoming better and better.
The winery now cultivates 15 hectares of vineyard, with an overall production of 80,000 bottles/year. The grapes are all carefully hand-harvested.
I consider his wines from the autochthonous variety Albana di Romagna amongst the best examples of the potentiality of this great, though still underrated, local variety.
"I consider myself a lucky person", said Jacopo while pouring the first wine.
GioJa 2023: 100% Albana, fermented and elevated 7 months in concrete tanks, with fine lees contact. Tasting en primeur, a wine bottled 10 days before. A dry wine that shocks you with a sweet nose that turns into a soft, mineral embrace, an infinite sip of salty honey, saffron, peach and apricot. Exciting potential for ageing. Great vintage, impressive wine.
GGG 2021: 100% Albana, 5 days of maceration then 15 months of aging in concrete tanks, followed by 8 months in the bottle. Opulent, fresh and infinite in its power.
8000 2022: A superb wine from 100% Albana grapes macerated for 20 days in amphora, then refined for a further 9 months in the same vat without contact with the skins. The name 8000 is a dedication to the ancient populations of Georgia who first began making wine in the Caucasus 8000 years ago. Elegant and mineral, tannic and gastronomic, an unforgettable Albana that seems to arrive from Burgundy.
Oplà Sangiovese 2022: 100% Sangiovese, a week of maceration then 8 months in concrete tanks. Excellent everyday wine, a young and fresh Sangiovese to be sipped chilled in summer with a salami piadina.
The wine estate is open to guests, for more info:
Via Punta, 82 – Imola (Bologna)
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