Albana is a 'white
berry' grape (with a large, pentagonal leaf, and a deep yellow
skin) and was the first white wine in Italy to obtain the Denominazione
di Origine Controllata e Garantita (D.O.C.G.), in 1987 (conforming
to DOC laws but also tested by government-appointed inspectors).
The origin of the “blond nectar of Romagna” seems to
go back to Roman times. Mention is made of it in manuscripts of
that time which cite Galla Placidia, the daughter of Teodosio.
Other people think the name comes from the Colli Albani (Albani
Hills), where the Legionaries who colonized Romagna came from.
But the most probable origin is 'Albus' (white par excellence),
referring to the quality of light grape which is considered the
best of all white grapes, and hence Albana.
Legend has it that the beautiful blond Galla Placidia arrived in
a small town perched on a rock on the plain between Forlì and
Cesena in 435 AD: the friendly townspeople were struck by her beauty
and offered her their sweet, full-bodied local white wine in a
unrefined terracotta jug; she was so enraptured by the quality
of the nectar that flowed sweetly into her veins, making her happy,
that she exclaimed: “You shouldn’t be drunk so humbly,
but DRUNK IN GOLD (BERTI IN ORO)”; according to the legend,
ever since then, the town where the queen quenched her thirst has
been called Bertinoro.
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The most typical area of Albana production is that of the 'Spungone
Romagnolo', namely from Bertinoro to the hills of Imola, since
it has a favourable microclimate (composition of the soil, wind,
prominent exposure to the sun and nearness to the sea).
Several varieties of Albana are produced (denominations):
Of all the varieties listed above, Romagnol wine producers are
most proud of their 'Passito', since it is a superb, competitive
wine which has achieved fame and fortune in the last few years,
both in Italy and abroad.
The wine is obtained by drying the grapes. It has a golden yellow
colour, bordering on amber. The bouquet is intense and characteristic
with traces of acacia honey, toasted almonds, peach and abricot
preserve, spices and, particularly, wood from the barrels it
has been aged in.
Albana can be served with nearly everything,, with the most
suitable dishes ranging from fish starters to quiches, pasta
to vegetable and cereal soups and oven-cooked pasta to risottos.
Furthermore, it is a pleasant accompaniment to fish dishes as
well as to traditional desserts.
The 'Albana Passito’ is best drunk with the classic 'Formaggio
di Fossa' (cheese left to mature in underground pits), served
with chestnut honey, fig and quince jelly, Romagnol Savour (grape
must cooked with apples, quinces and dried fruit), caramelled
figs, as well as all blue-veined cheeses (Gorgonzola, Taleggio
di Grotta, etc).
