What is made here
Wine colours
Colours the rules allow. Pick a colour to filter the rules and grapes below.
Where it is
Colli Bolognesi in Italy
- Latitude
- 44.2°–44.6° N
- Vineyard altitude
- 45 m to 331 m
- Production zone
- 90,238 ha
Contains 1 appellation (outlined on the zone map)
Colli Bolognesi Classico Pignoletto
Worked out from the boundaries (smallest container first). They follow whole communes, so a neighbour sharing a commune can show up here too.
Boundary drawn from whole communes, so it is a little larger than the legal zone. Boundary: Eurac Research PDO inventory (CC0). Country outlines: Natural Earth. Dots on the zone map are the vineyard points used for climate.
Showing every colour The colour filter changes the rules and grapes. Climate, vintages and soils describe the vineyards, so they stay the same.
01 · What the law says
The rules
Limits on grapes, yields, ripeness and ageing that every wine labelled Colli Bolognesi must meet.
Blend rules
Colli Bolognesi Barbera
- ≥ 85% Barbera · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic grapes of the same colour on the Emilia-Romagna list · Others allowed
Blend rules
Colli Bolognesi Barbera Frizzante
- ≥ 85% Barbera · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic grapes of the same colour on the Emilia-Romagna list · Others allowed
Blend rules
Colli Bolognesi Barbera Riserva
- ≥ 85% Barbera · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic grapes of the same colour on the Emilia-Romagna list · Others allowed
At least 36 months' ageing.
Blend rules
Colli Bolognesi Merlot
- ≥ 85% Merlot · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic grapes of the same colour on the Emilia-Romagna list · Others allowed
Blend rules
Colli Bolognesi Cabernet Sauvignon
- ≥ 85% Cabernet Sauvignon · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic grapes of the same colour on the Emilia-Romagna list · Others allowed
Blend rules
Colli Bolognesi Chardonnay
- ≥ 85% Chardonnay · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic grapes of the same colour on the Emilia-Romagna list · Others allowed
Blend rules
Colli Bolognesi Sauvignon
- ≥ 85% Sauvignon Blanc · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic grapes of the same colour on the Emilia-Romagna list · Others allowed
Blend rules
Colli Bolognesi Riesling Italico
- ≥ 85% Welschriesling · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic grapes of the same colour on the Emilia-Romagna list · Others allowed
Blend rules
Colli Bolognesi Pinot Bianco
- ≥ 85% Pinot Blanc · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic grapes of the same colour on the Emilia-Romagna list · Others allowed
Blend rules
Colli Bolognesi Bologna Rosso
- ≥ 50% Cabernet Sauvignon · Main grape
- ≤ 50% other non-aromatic red grapes authorised for Emilia-Romagna · Others allowed
Blend rules
Colli Bolognesi Bologna Rosso Riserva
- ≥ 50% Cabernet Sauvignon · Main grape
- ≤ 50% other non-aromatic red grapes authorised for Emilia-Romagna · Others allowed
At least 36 months' ageing.
Blend rules
Colli Bolognesi Bologna Bianco
- ≥ 50% Sauvignon Blanc · Main grape
- ≤ 50% other white grapes authorised for Emilia-Romagna · Others allowed
- ≤ 15% Trebbiano · Allowed
Blend rules
Colli Bolognesi Bologna Spumante
- ≥ 40% Chardonnay / Pinot bianco · Main grape
- – Sauvignon / Riesling / Pinot nero / Grechetto gentile · Allowed
Other varieties allowed
Besides the main grapes, the rules allow these varieties in some wines. Grape names link where a profile exists.
49 varieties · Colli Bolognesi Barbera, Colli Bolognesi Barbera Frizzante, Colli Bolognesi Barbera Riserva
Alicante, Ancellotta, Bonarda, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Canina Nera, Carmenere, Centesimino, Ciliegiolo, Croatina, Dolcetto, Ervi, Fogarina, Fortana, Gamay, Groppello Gentile, Lambrusco Barghi, Lambrusco Benetti, Lambrusco Grasparossa, Lambrusco Maestri, Lambrusco Marani, Lambrusco Montericco, Lambrusco Oliva, Lambrusco Salamino, Lambrusco Viadanese, Lambrusco a Foglia Frastagliata, Lambrusco di Sorbara, Malbo Gentile, Marzemino, Merlese, Merlot, Montepulciano, Negretto, Perla dei Vivi, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Raboso Veronese, Rebo, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Sangiovese, Sgavetta, Syrah, Termarina, Terrano, Uva Longanesi, Uva Tosca, Uva del Fantini, Uva del Tunde', Veruccese
49 varieties · Colli Bolognesi Merlot
Alicante, Ancellotta, Barbera, Bonarda, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Canina Nera, Carmenere, Centesimino, Ciliegiolo, Croatina, Dolcetto, Ervi, Fogarina, Fortana, Gamay, Groppello Gentile, Lambrusco Barghi, Lambrusco Benetti, Lambrusco Grasparossa, Lambrusco Maestri, Lambrusco Marani, Lambrusco Montericco, Lambrusco Oliva, Lambrusco Salamino, Lambrusco Viadanese, Lambrusco a Foglia Frastagliata, Lambrusco di Sorbara, Malbo Gentile, Marzemino, Merlese, Montepulciano, Negretto, Perla dei Vivi, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Raboso Veronese, Rebo, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Sangiovese, Sgavetta, Syrah, Termarina, Terrano, Uva Longanesi, Uva Tosca, Uva del Fantini, Uva del Tunde', Veruccese
49 varieties · Colli Bolognesi Cabernet Sauvignon, Colli Bolognesi Bologna Rosso, Colli Bolognesi Bologna Rosso Riserva
Alicante, Ancellotta, Barbera, Bonarda, Cabernet Franc, Canina Nera, Carmenere, Centesimino, Ciliegiolo, Croatina, Dolcetto, Ervi, Fogarina, Fortana, Gamay, Groppello Gentile, Lambrusco Barghi, Lambrusco Benetti, Lambrusco Grasparossa, Lambrusco Maestri, Lambrusco Marani, Lambrusco Montericco, Lambrusco Oliva, Lambrusco Salamino, Lambrusco Viadanese, Lambrusco a Foglia Frastagliata, Lambrusco di Sorbara, Malbo Gentile, Marzemino, Merlese, Merlot, Montepulciano, Negretto, Perla dei Vivi, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Raboso Veronese, Rebo, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Sangiovese, Sgavetta, Syrah, Termarina, Terrano, Uva Longanesi, Uva Tosca, Uva del Fantini, Uva del Tunde', Veruccese
37 varieties · Colli Bolognesi Chardonnay
Albana, Alionza, Bervedino, Biancame, Bombino Bianco, Durella, Famoso, Fiano, Friulano, Garganega, Malvasia Bianca di Candia, Malvasia Istriana, Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, Manzoni Bianco, Marsanne, Melara, Montu', Mostosa, Muller Thurgau, Muscat Blanc A Petits Grains, Ortrugo, Pignoletto, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Ruggine, Santa Maria, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Spergola, Trebbianina, Trebbiano Modenese, Trebbiano Romagnolo, Trebbiano Toscano, Verdea, Verdicchio Bianco, Vernaccina, Welschriesling
36 varieties · Colli Bolognesi Sauvignon, Colli Bolognesi Bologna Bianco
Albana, Alionza, Bervedino, Biancame, Bombino Bianco, Durella, Famoso, Fiano, Friulano, Garganega, Malvasia Bianca di Candia, Malvasia Istriana, Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, Manzoni Bianco, Marsanne, Melara, Montu', Mostosa, Muller Thurgau, Muscat Blanc A Petits Grains, Ortrugo, Pignoletto, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Ruggine, Santa Maria, Semillon, Spergola, Trebbianina, Trebbiano Modenese, Trebbiano Romagnolo, Trebbiano Toscano, Verdea, Verdicchio Bianco, Vernaccina, Welschriesling
36 varieties · Colli Bolognesi Riesling Italico
Albana, Alionza, Bervedino, Biancame, Bombino Bianco, Durella, Famoso, Fiano, Friulano, Garganega, Malvasia Bianca di Candia, Malvasia Istriana, Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, Manzoni Bianco, Marsanne, Melara, Montu', Mostosa, Muller Thurgau, Muscat Blanc A Petits Grains, Ortrugo, Pignoletto, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Ruggine, Santa Maria, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Spergola, Trebbianina, Trebbiano Modenese, Trebbiano Romagnolo, Trebbiano Toscano, Verdea, Verdicchio Bianco, Vernaccina
36 varieties · Colli Bolognesi Pinot Bianco
Albana, Alionza, Bervedino, Biancame, Bombino Bianco, Durella, Famoso, Fiano, Friulano, Garganega, Malvasia Bianca di Candia, Malvasia Istriana, Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, Manzoni Bianco, Marsanne, Melara, Montu', Mostosa, Muller Thurgau, Muscat Blanc A Petits Grains, Ortrugo, Pignoletto, Riesling, Ruggine, Santa Maria, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Spergola, Trebbianina, Trebbiano Modenese, Trebbiano Romagnolo, Trebbiano Toscano, Verdea, Verdicchio Bianco, Vernaccina, Welschriesling
In the vineyard and cellar: rules for every wine
2,500
Vines per hectare, minimum
Training
Systems allowed
spalliera; cortina semplice; doppia cortina
No forcing
Forcing the vines is prohibited
Permitted
Irrigation
Cellar
Where the wine must be made
Within the production zone
02 · Climate fingerprint
The climate
The growing season averages 18.9 °C, warm on Gregory Jones's scale, with 1,898 growing degree days (Winkler III).
The average year 1991–2020, vineyards at about 223 m
Monthly mean, °CRain, mmGrowing season
- Growing-season temperature
- 18.9 °C
- Warm · 17–19 °C (Jones)
- Growing degree days
- 1,898
- Region III: 1,667–1,943 degree days
- Growing-season rain
- 546 mm
- Of 943 mm a year
- Harvest rain
- 174 mm
- September–October
Copernicus ERA5-Land monthly averages at 5 vineyard points (Vineyard point 1, 309 m; Vineyard point 2, 374 m; Vineyard point 3, 92 m; Vineyard point 4, 189 m; Vineyard point 5, 151 m), moved to each point's height from the model's terrain. Indices that need daily data are not captured yet. How the climate figures are made.
Lower confidence:Monthly reanalysis in complex terrain (height corrections up to 2.0 °C); absolute values may be several degrees out, year-to-year changes are more reliable.
Closest climates in the database
Picked by the data, not by hand: the profiles nearest on season warmth (counted twice), degree days, rain, ripening-month nights and day–night range. Neighbours within 30 km are left out, as they share the same weather.
1. Castel San LorenzoVery similarCompared with Colli Bolognesi: same season warmth, similar rain.
2. Alto Adige · 220–300 mVery similarCompared with Colli Bolognesi: same season warmth, similar rain, warmer ripening nights.
3. Srednja i Južna DalmacijaVery similarCompared with Colli Bolognesi: same season warmth, similar rain.
Growing-season temperature
Growing degree days
Growing-season rain
03 · Year by year
35 vintages
Each column is one growing season: heat above or below the 1991–2020 average, and rain at harvest. Pick a year for the details.
Warmer than averageCooler than averageHarvest rain (Sep–Oct)Average harvest rain, 174 mm
2025
- Growing-season temp.
- Growing degree days
- Harvest rain
- Growing-season rain
- September nights
- Hot days and frosts
Seasons are labelled by harvest year (April–October). Year-to-year changes from ERA5-Land; tested against station records in Alto Adige (r = 0.94 for season temperature at Bolzano). Rain varies more locally, so treat single-season rain with some caution. Vintage ratings, harvest dates and frost or hail events have places in the data model but are not loaded yet.
04 · Where the numbers come from
Sources
- A geospatial inventory of regulatory information for wine protected designations of origin in Europe · Candiago et al., Scientific Data 9, 394 (2022); Eurac Research · CC0
- Quality wines in Italy and France: a dataset of PDO specifications · figshare 25393261 · CC BY 4.0
- ERA5-Land monthly averaged data (reanalysis-era5-land-monthly-means) · Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), Climate Data Store · CC BY 4.0 (Copernicus licence)
- OpenStreetMap vineyard areas (landuse=vineyard), from Geofabrik country extracts · OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL 1.0
- Copernicus DEM GLO-90 (AWS open data tiles) · European Space Agency / Copernicus · Copernicus DEM licence
- Disciplinare di produzione: Colli Bolognesi · Ministero dell'agricoltura, della sovranità alimentare e delle foreste (MASAF) · Official act
- Appellation nesting worked out from boundaries (pipeline/build_nesting.py) · Vinous, from the Eurac PDO boundaries · CC0 (source data)
- Climate profiles calculated by Vinous: method
Still to check (3)
- Generated from EU reference data: check against the current product specification.
- From the specification: The Bologna subzone wines are governed by Allegato A of the same specification (read from the full text), which raises minimum vine density to 3000 per hectare for new plantings. Most still wines may be secco or abboccato, so sweetness is left null; the Bologna Spumante may be extra brut, brut or extra dry.
- National tier (DOC/DOCG) not captured yet; rules extracted from the specification text.