Latium

Region in the Albana hills south-east of Rome, located between the Via Casilina and the famous Via Appia Antica, in the wine-growing region of Latium in Italy. In medieval times there was a castle on each hill, in Renaissance times these had to make way for the stately palaces of the cardinals and aristocrats. The fertile soil of the slopes has been used for viticulture for centuries. The total vineyard is currently around 7.000 hectares, stretching to the city limits of Rome (in fact, some vineyards lie within the administrative boundaries of the city). Three quarters of the vineyard area is located around the large extinct Tuscolano volcano, the craters of which can still be seen in the Albano and Nemi lakes today. The soil consists mainly of decomposed basalt as well as of volcanic tuff and clay with a high content of phosphorus and potash. In this region you will find the DOC zones Colli Albani (1.500 ha), Colli Lanuvini, Frascati, Marino, Montecompatri-Colonna, Velletri and Castello Romani (see below). The white wines dominate by far, and are made mainly from the various variants of Mavasia and Trebbiano, with small portions of indigenous varieties.

The regional DOC Castelli Romani, named after the area, applies to red, rosé and white wines. The zone includes 20 communes in the province of Roma (including the city itself), as well as parts of the communes of Aprilia, Cisterna di Latia and Cori in the province of Latina. The Bianco is a blend made from any combination of Malvasia Bianco, Malvasia Puntinata, Trebbiano Toscano, Trebbiano di Soave, Terbbiano Verde and Trebbiano Giallo (70-100%), as well as possibly from other permitted white varieties. The Rosso (also made as a Novello)is a blend made from any combination of Cesanese, Merlot, Montepulciano, Nero Buono and Sangiovese (minimum of 85%), as well as possibly from other permitted red varieties (up to 15%). The Rosato can either be made from the red and white varieties permitted for the production of Bianco and Rosso, or it can be made exclusively from red grapes, and produiced in a rosé colour by means of short skin contact. All three types of wine are produced in Secco and Amabile versions, and are also made as Frizzantes.