Top 3 Emilian Wine Varieties

Last updated on June 04, 2026
01

Lambrusco

3.6 ·

Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine hailing from the Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy region of Italy, particularly from areas around Modena, Reggio Emilia and Mantua. This wine is made from several varieties of the Lambrusco grape, each contributing different characteristics to the final product. Lambrusco wines are typically light and frothy, with a range of sweetness levels from dry (secco) to sweet (dolce). They exhibit a vibrant ruby-red color and often have a delightful effervescence due to their natural sparkle. The aromatic profile of Lambrusco includes notes of red berries, cherries, and sometimes floral hints like violets. On the palate, these wines are known for their refreshing acidity, light tannins, and fruity flavors, which can include strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries. The sweetness can vary, but even the sweeter versions maintain a balance with their acidity, making them enjoyable and easy to drink. Lambrusco is best enjoyed chilled and is a popular choice for pairing with a variety of foods. It goes particularly well with the rich and savory dishes of Emilia-Romagna, such as cured meats, cheeses, pasta with hearty sauces, and even pizza.

02

Albana

n/a ·

Albana is a white wine grape variety predominantly grown in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, particularly around the town of Bertinoro. Known for producing Italy's first DOCG white wine, Albana is versatile and can be made into a range of styles, including dry, sweet, and passito (a dessert wine made from dried grapes). Albana wines are typically golden yellow in color and possess a rich aromatic profile, featuring notes of ripe stone fruits such as apricot and peach, alongside floral hints of acacia and hawthorn. Some expressions also exhibit a subtle nuttiness and honeyed character. On the palate, Albana wines are known for their full-bodied structure and balanced acidity. The dry versions often present flavors of ripe fruit, almonds, and a characteristic minerality, while the sweeter styles, including passito, offer lush honeyed and dried fruit flavors with a velvety texture. Albana's acidity helps to keep even the sweetest versions lively and refreshing. These wines can be enjoyed young, particularly the dry styles, which are appreciated for their fresh and vibrant qualities. However, the sweeter and passito versions can benefit from aging, developing greater complexity and depth over time. Albana pairs well with a variety of foods, including rich pasta dishes, roasted poultry, and desserts like biscotti and fruit tarts.

03

Spergola

n/a ·

Spergola is a rare Italian white grape from Emilia Romagna. It is now mostly planted around Reggio Emilia. The grape is quite versatile, and apart from dry wines, it can also be used for sparkling and dessert (passito) styles. The resulting wines are straw-colored, bright, and crisp. Their aroma is fruity and floral, reminiscent of white flowers such as jasmine and acacia, along with citrus and green apple notes. The wines are refreshing, approachable, and mineral, with bright and lively acidity. Dry wines can be served with appetizers, seafood dishes, or pasta. Sparkling wines make a great aperitif and are best served with appetizers, while sweet styles can be paired with cookies, pastries, and fruit tarts. The most important appellation for Spergola is Colli Scandiano DOC.

Read more
View all
View map
About this ranking

TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 3 Emilian Wine Varieties” list until June 04, 2026, 28 ratings were recorded, of which 23 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.

Similar lists