Albana (grape)
A white grape from Emilia-Romagna with ancient Roman roots.
Albana is a white wine grape variety primarily cultivated in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. The wine produced from it, Albana di Romagna, was the first to receive DOCG status in 1987. The grape yields deeply colored wines and may be related to Greco di Tufo.
Quick Facts
- Species
- Vitis vinifera
- Also called
- See list of synonyms
- Origin
- Italy
- Regions
- Emilia-Romagna
- Notable wines
- Albana di Romagna
Facts from the source article.
History
The grape's history is unclear and mixed with legend, though it is thought to have been introduced by the ancient Romans. Its name refers to the white color of the grapes, from the Latin 'albus'. In the 13th century, Pier de' Crescenzi described Albana as a powerful wine with excellent taste that preserved well. Agricultural writer Petrus di Crescentiis also mentioned grapes used in wine from Emilia-Romagna in that century. In the 18th century, agronomist Vincenzo Tamara of Bologna noted the variety.
Synonyms
Albana is known by many synonyms, including Albana a Grappo Longo, Albana a Grappolo Fitto, Albana a Grappolo Lungo, Albana a Grappolo Rado o Gentile, Albana dell'Istria (?), Albana della Forcella, Albana di Bertinoro, Albana di Bologna, Albana di Forli, Albana di Gatteo, Albana di Lugo, Albana di Montiano, Albana di Pesaro, Albana di Romagna, Albana di Terra Del Sole, Albana Gentile, Albana Gentile di Faenza, Albana Gentile di Ravenna, Albana Grossa, Albano, Albanone, Albuelis, Biancame Sinalunga, Forcella, Forcellata, Forcellina, Forcelluta, Raccia Pollone, Ribona, Riminese, and Sforcella. A rare Spanish variety also bears the name Albana. The name is also used as a synonym for Albula, Elbling, and Tempranilla.
More in White Wine Grape Varieties from Italy
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