Italy — wine

Colli Piacentini Wine Region

The Colli Piacentini (Piacenza Hills) in western Emilia-Romagna are one of Italy's most overlooked wine zones — a series of Apennine river valleys (Trebbia, Nure, Tidone) producing the unique Gutturnio DOC red (Barbera and Croatina), the ancient Ortrugo white, and increasingly serious Pinot Nero and Malvasia di Candia. The local tradition of frizzante (lightly sparkling) wines remains; natural wine producers have discovered the hills' ancient varieties and terroir diversity.

Year Rating Notes
2023 Trebbia and Nure valleys produced characterful Gutturnio; the natural wine estates' minimal-intervention approach delivered fine expression.
2022 Outstanding Emilia vintage; Colli Piacentini's Barbera and Croatina achieved exceptional concentration and the acidity for ageing.
2021 Reliable year; the Apennine foothills performed well with characteristic earthy, herbal-mineral character across all varieties.
2020 Solid vintage; La Stoppa's biodynamic farming produced Ageno of unusual skin-contact complexity and Gutturnio of fine balance.
2019 Fine Emilia vintage; Colli Piacentini's natural wine producers delivered wines that defined the region's quality potential.