Alionza: wine, history and characteristics of an ancient vine from Emilia-Romagna
Alionza is a white grape variety cultivated in Emilia-Romagna since 1303 when De Crescenzi spoke about it for the first time. The resulting wine is fine, elegant, velvety, fragrant and intoxicating, but is now used almost exclusively in blends with other similar wines. Its function is to ennoble, to bring body, scents, warmth, and structure, but then there are some splendid bottles of Alionza in purity such as that of the Gradizzolo winery and that of the legendary Erioli.
It is not easy to tame the Alionza and for this reason, it is often vinified sparkling with partially fermented must to make sweet wines or even with the classic method.
History and production area of Alionza
As mentioned, it is a vine that has been known for almost a millennium and many reporters also speak of it in France, where it is thought the vine was born, and then migrated to the delightful Emilian hills of Modena and Bologna.
Here it has found an excellent habitat, windy hills, and a local propensity for sparkling wine, a technique that enhances its fine and floral aroma. Alionza was once also known as a slave grape, always mentioned by De Crescenzi, and this led to the belief that it was a grape of Slavic origin, although it is more realistic to think that the nickname was due to the custom of marrying the vines. in the classic tree-lined, where maple, poplar, and fruit trees were used to support the shoots.
Organoleptic characteristics of Alionza wine
The bouquet is fine, intense, sunny with hints of pulpy yellow fruit and an endless cornucopia of flowers, honey, and hints of almonds and aromatic herbs.
On the palate it is lashing, sharp, gallops on a register that does not let itself be harnessed so easily, but has a lot of pulp and juiciness to give. It is a wine full of energy, depth and pleasantness, but don’t expect a fat or stout wine.
The bottles of Alionza we love
Giorgio Erioli and the Gradizzolo winery produce two spectacular wines, the classic super easygoing wines, full of salt, vitality, and contagious acidity. They are sparkling versions that manage to accompany all Bolognese cuisine, starting from crescentine to salami, passing through tortellini in broth, and ending with the classic Bolognese cutlet. Orsi San Vito also produces Alionza, but let’s be honest, we haven’t tasted it yet. We will fix it soon.
Recommended Alionza food pairings
Acidity, flavor, lean structure, but excellent juiciness make it a white wine for the whole meal. Excellent with appetizers such as veal with tuna sauce, Thai dishes, Chinese vegetarian cuisine, fish, carbonara, shellfish, and any plate of salami with mortadella and Ciauscolo.