Colli bolognesi wines

The production area of the Colli Bolognesi Wines includes, in the province of Bologna, the whole hilly towns area of Monteveglio, Castello di Serravalle, Monte San Pietro, Sasso Marconi, Savigno, Marzabotto, Pianoro and part of the territory of the towns of  Bologna, Bazzano, Crespellano, Monterenzio. Casalecchio di Reno, San Lazzaro di Savena, Zola Predosa are part of it in the Bolognese lowland; in the province of Modena the production area includes land of Savignano sul Panaro.

The DOC quality production area was created by Presidential Decree on July 29 1975. The decree laid down the production norms for four white wines:

• Sauvignon
• Bianco
• Pinot Bianco
• Riesling Italico

and for two red wines:

• Barbera
• Merlot

Pignoletto and Cabernet Sauvignon were added to the Doc wines governed by the decree on February 12 1985.

Chardonnay is the latest wine to be safeguarded by the regulations, since September 1 1993.

Promotion and protection of the quality of Colli Bolognesi Wines are entrusted to the Consorzio Vini Colli Bolognesi. It is an association of wine growers, wine producers and bottlers, active in the area from 1971. The scope includes total control over the chain of wine, from vineyard to bottle, in accordance with the rules laid down by the specification.