When we talk about wines from the Colli Bolognesi area (Bolognese hills) we ought to start with Pignoletto, the one that managed to define this fascinating yet confused and fragmented territory, too often colonized by international vines.
A wine that is the perfect metaphor of Bologna, because its soul reflects the way of life of the Bolognese people, their passion for good living and the carefree Sundays in May, when students and families enjoy the afternoons on the hills, but at the same time it can reflect their industrious and cultured soul.
It is in fact a wine that can be sparkling and light, perfect for chatting in company with a platter of salami and crescentine, but that can dress elegantly and be almost austere and structured, the ideal companion for a steaming plate of tortellini.
Pignoletto is historically produced with the best results in the Bolognese hills, in particular in the hilly areas of the municipalities of Valsamoggia, Monte S. Pietro, Zola Predosa, Sasso Marconi, Marzabotto, Casalecchio di Reno, Bologna, San Lazzaro di Savena, Pianoro and Monterenzio and in the contiguous areas of the hills. More recently, production has had a certain expansion in the foothills or plains and in other areas of Emilia.
To date, the most prestigious recognition is the DOCG of the Colli Bolognesi Classico Pignoletto. Another important recognition was the DOC for Pignoletto wines produced in the "Colli d'Imola", "Modena", "Reno" and "Emilia Romagna" areas.
Pignoletto is an ancient grape, already known by the Romans: Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historia reveals the etymology of the name, which would be Pino Lieto. But at the same time he liquidates it in a nutshell, as a wine not sweet enough to be good. However, let's remember that the Romans mixed spices and honey with wine and loved sugary wines, which Pignoletto is not, being fresh, subtle and floral.
Another hypothesis is that the name Pignoletto comes from pine cone, considered the pinecone shape of the bunch.
Until a few years ago, Pignoletto was commonly considered a native vine, but recent DNA analyzes have revealed genetic characteristics substantially identical to Grechetto Gentile: previously it was mistakenly considered a variant of Pinot Blanc or Riesling Italico.
The productivity is not high but constant, the harvest begins in mid-August for the production of sparkling wines but can easily reach the end of September, beginning of October, for the other types.
The extreme versatility of the grape acquired in the symbiosis with the hilly area of Bologna is demonstrated by the different possibilities of vinification and by the different characteristics that this gives to the range: fermo (still) in the Superiore version and Classico Superiore, Frizzante, Spumante (both sparkling) and Passito (late harvest sweet wine).
And don't let's forget the enjoyable ancestrale (pét-nat) Pignoletto version, which results a refreshing, gently sparkling summer wine that you can't miss.
The nose offers a refined symphony of white peach, grapefruit, ginger, white pepper, lily of the valley, jasmine, wisteria, chamomile, cedar, hay and grass, pineapple, basil.
On the palate it is subtle, crossed by a sharp and fresh vein. Savory with touches of chalk. Final of almonds and citrus.
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