Colli Piacentini Wine Region

Colli Piacentini is a DOC in the Emilia-Romagna wine region in northern Italy. In 1967, the region was given the DOC quality designation. Colli Piacentini is well known for its prestige wines. The wines produced in Piacentini all tend to be really nice, with a lot of care put into the production process by the winemakers. This wine is unique to Italy and the world because of the aforementioned grapes. Colli Piacentini wine region produces 20 different types of wine: red, rosé, white, sparkling white and more. This is the best place for people who love wine and want to explore new tastes.

Check out the best wine tastings and tours in Colli Piacentini Wine Region

Where is the Colli Piacentini Wine Region

The Colli Piacentini is at the western end of Emilia-Romagna region, Italy. Border between the cities of Reggio Emilia and Parma.

History of Colli Piacentini Wine

The Piacenza hills have been used for the cultivation of grapevines for centuries. Excavation at sites in the area has unearth several thousand-year-old specimens of vine roots with seeds, as well as ancient grapevines with petrified roots. In Roman times, wine from the area was traditionally drunk from a jar called a gutturnium. It eventually gave its name to Gutturnio, which is the most famous type of Colli Piacentini wine produced today. The reputation of wine from the Colli Piacentini went back as far as the Middle Ages. For example, in France during this time, they were exporting it to their country. Experts have been warning us against fraudulent wine in the market for a while now. In this time, regulations have also been imposed on winemaking to help prevent such instances and maintain quality standards.

Terrior of Colli Piacentini

The Colli di Piacentini DOC covers 3,600 hectares of hilly. In this region,  terroirs are ideal for quality viticulture. The vineyard soils are composed of a mix of clay, sand, and sandstone. The climate in the area is best for wine producing. The summers are warm, humid, and mostly clear and the winters are very cold and partly cloudy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from -1°c to 30.5°c and is rarely below -5.5°c or above 34.4°c.

Colli Piacentini Wine Characteristics 

In Colli Piacentini wine region they produce red and white wines, rosé rosato styles, and more in addition to a wide variety of grape varieties. The wines are classified in many ways, including their sweetness level, carbonation level the wines range broadly in their quality and style; Vin Santo is a type of wine, created from dried grapes and young, sweet wines that are released only a few months after harvest.

In a manner more common in New World wine regions, there are some wines in the Colli Piacentini that are varietally labeled with the grape's name appearing on the front of their wine labels, for example: Barbera, Croatina, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot nero, Chardonnay, Malvasia, Ortrugo, Pinot grigio and Sauvignon blanc. In order to be included on this list, the wine must have at least 85% of the grape that is on the label. The Colli Piacentini is home to over 100 grape varieties with half of them being varietally labeled. Among these grape varieties is the Ortrugo which must compose at least 90% of the wine, while others are Trebbiano Romagnolo, Bervedino, Verdeca and Moscato bianco. Colli Piacentini Wines pair well with a variety of pastas with meat sauce, cappelletti in broth, red meats, salamis and Parmigiano Reggiano.

Food to pair with Colli Piacentini Wine

1. Pasticcio di maccheroni

Pasticcio di maccheroni is a mixture of macaroni pasta and meat with truffle on top. It comes in a sweet pastry wrap. Although the combination of sweet crust and savory fillings might seem somewhat unusual, the dish has been popular for ages and has survived a lot - dating back to the 16th century, with generations upon generations enjoying it. Pasticcio di maccheroni is so delicious and pairs well with Colli Piacentini wines.

2. Passatelli in brodo

GNAM bread is a specialty dish of the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy, consisting of a meat broth filled with dumplings made from cheese, bread, and eggs. It is recommended to pair the soup with red Colli Piacentini wine.

3. Cappellacci di zucca Ferraresi

Ferrara's pumpkin hats are filled with a variety of fillings including butternut squash, zucca violina and grated parmesan cheese. They are popular in the region due to their unique flavor and warm scent. Nutmeg provides the warm, spicy aroma with its subtle notes.

Ferrara's signature pasta dish has a history dating back to the Renaissance. It was first made by Giovanni Battista Rossetti, the court cook of Alfonso II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara. Cappellacci are typically served with melted butter and fresh sage, but some recipes call for a tomato or meat sauce. It goes well with Colli Piacentini wine.

Places to visit near Colli Piacentini

1. Abbazia di Chiaravalle della Colomba

There is a lot of evidence that shows that the monastery was founded quite early-on, even though there isn't much evidence about its foundation dates. It is also one of the earliest Cistercian settlements on the peninsula.

2. Complesso romanico di Vigolo Marchese

Built almost 1000 years ago by the Vigolo family and famous for its Romanesque building style, the church and baptistery of Sant'Angelo are one of pure beauty. The Tower is one of the most important historical sites of Lima and is considered one of the best preserved examples from a period when it was at war with all its neighbors.

3. Il Monte Lesima e il Radar ENAV

The Monte Lesima is the fourth-highest peak of the Ligurian Apennines, with its 1724 meters, it separates the Scrivia Valley from the Trebbia Valley. A giant metal cross stands high atop the top of the hill. On November 5th 1954, a mass attracted thousands of people in procession from nearby municipalities. The cross at this location is also said to have been blessed by Bishop Giuseppe Bianchini in one of his visits to the area. The ENAV radar has been used for years in Italy, Zurich, and Marseille. It provides air traffic control for a number of cities with its massive geoid-shaped shape.Lesiman rely on this symbol to stand out when they visit other lands, but it can also be seen from miles away. The structure on the ridge is reached by an asphalted roadway that climbs up the homes. It used to be manned 24-hour a day by specialized personnel, but today it has been converted into an automated system.

Frequently asked questions about Colli Piacentini Wine Region