No matter how much weather and fate have been bitter against the winemakers of Apulia, Abruzzo, Marche, Lazio and, of course, Romagna, Bombino Bianco would have still managed to shoulder the burden of repaying the debts incurred while managing the cellars thanks to its extraordinary resistance and productivity. Pagadebit, or Straccia Cambiale, is a nickname that the grape has gained over time and that Romagna Pagadebit DOC has inherited, as it is produced for at least 85% with Bombino Bianco grapes. In short, it is a reference to a world that has been swallowed up by the modern times, a tribute to an extremely human and poetic practice of naming things and extraordinary events in a similar fashion and an ode to a unique vine that, after taking root in Romagna, has been tightly bonded to this land and its cuisine.
The natural history of the resistant Bombino Bianco
If one solely dwells on the unique ability of Bombino Bianco to withstand the worst weather conditions or attacks from fungi and parasites, one might think that, after all, those splendid golden bunches are fake, probably made of marble or plastic. But a sip of Romagna Pagadebit DOC is enough to prove that this is not the case: underneath the thick skin that seems to remain unbothered by rigid weather is a gentle “heart” that gives life to wines with unmistakably floral scents. Yet, man had almost succeeded where climate failed to do so, nearly putting an end to the bond between the rolling hills of Romagna and this grape variety, native to the narrow Apulian plains. Despite its resistance and versatility, in the 1960s Bombino Bianco, considered as a “minor” variety, almost completely disappeared from the vineyards of this land to make room for the more famous Sangiovese and Trebbiano. And although many thought they could do without the Straccia Cambiale, some winegrowers in the area of Bertinoro felt that they owed this vine a debt of gratitude.
But a sip of Romagna Pagadebit DOC is enough to prove that this is not the case: underneath the thick skin that seems to remain unbothered by rigid weather is a gentle “heart” that gives life to wines with unmistakably floral scents
1960s: a new beginning for Pagadebit
A hypothetical census of Bombino Bianco in the mid-1960s would have showed us a tragic situation: only one row of this vine remained in the entire territory of Romagna, perched on the hill where Bertinoro stands, near Trentola. Today, we can toast with a glass of Romagna Pagadebit DOC to one of the many wonderful sunsets of this land thanks to the work and enological skills of some local winemaker. This was not an easy task, yet they succeeded: the Denominazione di Origine Controllata recognition was awarded in 1989, triumphantly ending, after more than twenty years, the journey to enhancing and preserving a variety that has become an integral part of Romagna winemaking history. According to the disciplinary, Romagna Pagadebit DOC can exclusively be produced in 29 municipalities distributed between the provinces of Forlì-Cesena, Ravenna and Rimini and made into 8 different versions: Romagna Pagadebit DOC, Romagna Pagadebit DOC Amabile, Romagna Pagadebit DOC Frizzante, Romagna Pagadebit DOC Amabile Frizzante, Romagna Pagadebit DOC Bertinoro Secco, Romagna Pagadebit DOC Bertinoro Secco Frizzante, Romagna Pagadebit DOC Bertinoro Amabile and Romagna Pagadebit DOC Bertinoro Amabile Frizzante.
A glass of spring and hawthorn
Drinking a glass of Romagna Pagadebit DOC is like sipping the last rays of the sun on a warm spring day: it releases captivating and vibrant herbaceous notes, with hints of hawthorn standing out. The fresh and harmonious flavor invites to experiment with diverse pairings of light dishes from the hinterland as well as those from the coastal areas. Enjoy it with frittura di paranza or marinated sprats, vegetable soups, omelets, fresh pasta with stridoli or anything that you can think of: unleash your imagination and find what suits this unmistakable straw yellow wine with emerald reflections.