Colli di Rimini Wine Region

The Colli di Rimini wine region is an important wine-growing district on the Emilia-Romagna wine region's eastern coast. Rimini is recognized for its beautiful beaches, fantastic nightlife, and a landscape filled with fortifications, medieval castles, hills, and vineyards. The region's consistent improvement over the previous two decades has enhanced the level of quality of wines, which has resulted in its DOC status. Colli di Rimini's title encompasses six primary wine styles, including red and white. The Colli di Rimini wine region's wine production is small, and these wines are extremely difficult to find outside of the region.

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Where is the Colli di Rimini wine region?

Colli di Rimini is a wine region in northern Italy that is a subregion of the Emilia-Romagna wine region and is under the Romagna department. The region spanned around 250 kilometers from the Adriatic coast to the western hinterland of Emilia-Romagna. The Colli di Rimini wine region surrounds the town of Rimini to the south, bordering the wine regions of Emilia-Romagna and Marche. The location lies 130 kilometers southeast of Bologna, 130 kilometers northwest of Ancona, and 320 kilometers north of Rome. Colli di Faenza DOC lies to the west, and Bosco Eliceo DOC is to the north. The region is located at the intersection of the three ancient roman roads- Via Emilia, Via Popillia, and Via Flaminia. 

History of the Colli di Rimini wine region

Winemaking and viticulture have deep roots in Colli di Rimini and date back to the dawn of time. The Romans contributed the required expertise and techniques to create the region's complete wine industry. Missionaries and monks aided in the development of wine culture. During the Middle Ages, when demand for wine was at its peak, monks were busy farming grapes and producing wines. After decades of continual progress by the Colli di Rimini wine region's enthusiastic winemakers, the region gained its own DOC title in 1996.

The terroir and geography of the Colli di Rimini wine region

Rimini and its neighboring towns on the Adriatic Coast including Riccione and Cattolica are blessed with a semi-continental climate. In the Colli di Rimini wine region, the summers are relatively warm and wetter than in the eastern part of Emilia Romagna. Winters are chill, windy and cloudy. Cold winds flow across the region from the plains of Eastern Europe, especially during the winters. In Summer, Sirocco, a hot wind, blows across the region from the southwest originating in Africa. Rainfall is moderate amounting to 645mm annually. The geomorphology of the area is influenced by the Marecchia river and marine processes. The soil is mostly clay, sand, and alluvial deposits. 

Popular grape varieties from the Colli di Rimini wine region

Like many other Italian wine regions, the Colli di Rimini wine region focuses on native grape varietals. The region is best known for making wines by blending several grapes. Grechetto grape accounts for around 32% of total grape production. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, and Merlot are some of the important grapes cultivated in the region.

Red Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Montepulciano, Ciliegiolo, Terrano,  Ancellotta, and Barbera.

White varietals: Biancame, Grechetto, Mostosa, and Trebbiano.

Food to pair with Colli di Rimini wine 

Bologna

The word bologna comes from the name of an Italian city, Bologna. Originally, the dish was cooked with ground pork and spices. Bologna is a sort of sausage cooked with seasonings and minced beef, hog, turkey, and fowl. The mixture is then placed into intestinal casings manufactured from the animal. It can be smoked or cooked and consumed cold or hot. It is frequently packed whole or in slices. The bologna sausage is a popular sort of sausage that is eaten in many places throughout the world. It has been around for millennia, with roots dating back to the Roman Empire. Combine this delicious sausage with red wines from the Colli di Rimini wine region.

Chorizo

Chorizo is a Spanish sausage very similar to the Portuguese chouriço made of chopped pork meat and fat that has been seasoned with paprika and, occasionally, garlic. Chorizos are fermented and cured in Europe. Some chorizo sausages are not fermented and cured and must be cooked before consumption. Even though both Spanish chorizo and Portuguese chouriço receive their smokiness and rich red color from dried, smoked red peppers, they are very different sausages. Chorizo is an adaptable sausage that can be sliced, fried, grilled, cooked in liquids, or used as a pizza topping. Chorizo is a type of sausage that is popular in many parts of the world. These sausages go well with semi-dry red wines from the Colli di Rimini wine region. 

Liverwurst 

Liverwurst is a German sausage traditionally made from pig's liver, bacon, and various seasonings. Liverwurst sausage is a German sausage made from chopped pork liver and bacon. It is usually eaten with boiled potatoes, dark bread, and pickles. Other ingredients may include onions, salt, pepper, allspice, mace, cloves, bay leaves, and wine vinegar. Liverwurst has a brownish-gray color and can be sliced into thin pieces. It tastes salty, sweet, and smoky. These german sausages perfectly complement the Colli di Rimini wines. 

Places to visit in the Colli di Rimini wine region

San Marino

San Marino is an ancient city, also the capital of San Marino, located in the heart of the country built on the high western slopes of Mount Titano. The historical center and the mountain have been designated as UNESCO world heritage sites in 2008. It is believed that the hilltop town was built in the early 4th century by Saint Marinus who escaped to Rimini from religious persecution. Three aggressive fortresses were built on the three peaks of Mount Titano named Guaita, Cesta, and Montale. The city of San Marino lies on the border of the Emilia-Romagna and Marche regions overlooking the Adriatic sea on the east. Visit the capital of the world’s smallest country, rich in history, culture, and natural sites.

Arch of Augustus

The Arco d'Augusto is the main gate to Rimini's old city wall in the Romagna region of Italy. The Roman Senate dedicated the arch to Emperor Caesar Octavian Augustus in 27 BC. The arch of Augustus is the oldest standing Roman arch and is located at the crossroads of two ancient Roman highways, Flaminian and Emilian. The gate withstood the test of time and is still in service, albeit with some repairs. The arch previously supported the emperor's metal sculpture.

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