A mosaic of Sangiovese: on 19 September 2022, the Consorzio Vini di Romagna officially presented Rocche di Romagna, the new European collective brand that identifies Romagna Sangiovese wines produced in 16 sub-areas: Serra, Brisighella, Marzeno, Modigliana, Oriolo, Castrocaro, Predappio, Meldola, Bertinoro, Cesena, Mercato Saraceno, Longiano, Imola, Coriano, San Clemente and Verucchio.
The presentation, held in the splendid location of the Rocca delle Caminate, saw the presence of regional institutions and local municipalities, with the wine journalist American Kerin O'Keefe, present as godmother, to conclude with the tasting of Sangiovese delle Rocche on the panoramic terrace, whose view sweeps over the territories, from the valleys to the sea, of the 16 sub-zones.
«The objective of the Rocche di Romagna brand is to give a boost to the knowledge of the multiple identity of Sangiovese in our area and to stimulate curiosity for the productions of the Subzone, which they are by far those with the most strongly territorial imprint – says Ruenza Santandrea, President of the Consorzio Vini di Romagna –. We want to encourage the consumer as well as the associates in search of ever more authentic expressions of Sangiovese, a formidable interpreter of the soils in which it grows."
THE COLLECTIVE MARK
Rocche di Romagna: a name, and a logo, that want to express the truest territoriality. The Fortresses are highly symbolic elements of the territory: they are very widespread buildings in Romagna, with historical and iconic value, stories of different fragments of the mosaic of particularities that is Romagna. And precisely the mosaic - specifically the mosaic art of the mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna, among the most exceptional artistic testimonies of the first half of the fifth century - was chosen as an icon to represent the Rocche di Romagna brand: a union of that create a figure, just as the Sangiovese sub-zones give this wine a unique image, albeit made up of multiplicity.
“The brand will give visibility to the Sangiovese di Romagna on international markets – comments Kerin O'Keefe, author , wine critic and founder of kerinokeefe.com – "sending a clear message regarding the importance of recognizing the various expressions of the territory and highlighting the seriousness of the producers."
THE SUB-AREA
The Subzones project was born with the authorization of the DOC “ROMAGNA” production disciplinary of 2011, which instituted the birth of 12 territories (the subzones, in fact) which can be claimed on the label of Sangiovese (also in the reserve version) produced in compliance with more restrictive and rigid rules and which reach more demanding chemical-physical and qualitative parameters, according to the dictates of the respective sub-area annex. In the wake of the first, four further sub-zones obtained ministerial approval this year - Imola, Coriano, San Clemente and Verucchio - which, like the others, see the declination of the brand with the specific name in the manual.
These are wines that carry on the Romagna tradition of vinification of pure Sangiovese - unlike the Tuscan way, which more often sees it in blends or blends with other wines: l he use of the sub-area mention for Romagna Sangiovese is reserved for wines for at least 95% from Sangiovese grapes. An excellence at the top of the qualitative pyramid of Romagna Sangiovese, ready to interpret the noble and proud soul of the territory.
The Consortium thanks the Municipality of Predappio for the hospitality and effective collaboration in making the event a success. Thanks also go to the regional councilors Andrea Corsini and Alessio Mammi, to all the mayors and councilors of the municipalities involved in the project and to Carlo Lucarelli, for his presence and support.