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Colli Albani
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Classification: DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata - Quality Wines Produced in a Specific Region)
Color: Pale straw yellow
Production region: Lazio (Albano and the surrounding hills- Rome)
Minimum alcohol content: 10.5%
Grapes used: Malvasia bianca di Candia (red Malvasia) minimum 60%, Trebbiano toscano, Trebbiano romagnolo, yellow Trebbiano and Trebbiano di Soave, singly or in combination, 25-50%, Malvasia del Lazio (Malvasia puntinata) 5-45%. Other white grapes may be used, as well (maximum 10%) |
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The Colli Albani appellation is the official designation of a wine whose historic roots are lost in the fogs of legend and myth.
The zone of production is composed of a series of tiny towns, Ariccia, Albano, Pomezia, Castelgandolfo and Lanuvio in Lazio. Lazio is an administrative region of west-central Italy, on the Tyrrhenian Sea, which includes the ancient region of Latium. Its capital is Rome. The region where this wine is made is the ancient domain of the Latin city of Albalonga, the principle adversary of a still young Rome that had just been founded; in Albalonga they served "golden wine" during religious rituals.
The territory containing the vineyards that grow the Colli Albani appellations wines is geographically quite interesting. Of volcanic origin, the enchanting landscape currently abounds with lakes and forested ridges. In classical times it hosted patrician homes and villas displaying splendid architecture. These fertile hills provide a perfect environment for wine production. The Mediterranean climate and mineral-rich soil combine to guarantee top-quality grapes.
The Colli Albani wine should be drunk young when it is still capable of fully expressing all the fragrance of the mildly sour grapes. Its delicately fresh flavor makes it perfect for accompanying light antipasti made with fresh cheeses and mild delicatessen meats or in combination with sea food. It has a dry, slightly bitter flavor and it goes well with vegetable soups and pasta dishes topped with a meat sauce.
It goes well with everything from Fusilli with ricotta and spinach, bringing out all the natural sweetness of the flavor, to Tortelloni with prosciutto and vegetables, a dish with a very distinctive flavor. If you want to focus on combinations with traditional dishes, Colli Albani wine brings out all the character of preparations like snails cooked in paper and panzanella, a peasant salad made from bread, vegetables and herbs. And don't forget to try it with fried pumpkin blossoms.
It should always be served at 8-10°C and is also excellent as a before-dinner cocktail. There is also the Colli Albani Superiore classification, with a slightly higher minimum alcohol content of 11.5 %, and the Colli Albani Spumante, a pleasant surprise for people fond of lively sparkling wines.
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