Tre Bicchieri 2026, the 16 best wines of Emilia-Romagna awarded by Gambero Rosso

For the first time, in the Vini d’Italia Guide Emilia and Romagna are considered as two distinct regions. Obviously, our choice is purely vinicultural, since the territories, grape varieties and denominations make up two very different areas.

Tre Bicchieri 2026: Emilia of Pignoletto and Lambrusco

Let us start from the West. To give a summary of the wine-producing territory of Emilia, it is necessary to distinguish between some very precise zones with completely different characteristics, starting from Bologna and following the Via Emilia up to Piacenza. On the Colli Bolognesi – with excursions also into the province of Modena – Pignoletto is increasingly booming, in its various versions: still, sparkling, spumante, and even Metodo Classico. Light, fresh, easy to drink, perfect for sharing, there are now also interesting more aged and complex versions emerging.

Between Modena and Reggio Emilia, Lambrusco – or rather, the Lambruschi – are acquiring a more and more defined personality year after year. From the elegance of Sorbara, to the richness of Grasparossa, passing through the aromas of Salamino, the varietal versions, with the variants Metodo Ancestrale and Metodo Classico, offer an articulated range, integrated by well-balanced blends that manage to summarise the peculiar characteristics of the varieties, including even those that are more rarely vinified on their own. Pay attention also to Spergola in the Reggio area, especially those produced in the hills, which will increasingly be talked about.

The rise of Metodo Classico

If from Parma no particular signs of revival are coming, with few wineries able to stand out, the Colli Piacentini, although in a condition of little clarity about the objectives to pursue, prove to be livelier. While awaiting the new Doc Piacenza, and awaiting the definitive valorisation of a potentially very interesting grape such as malvasia di Candia aromatica, it is Metodo Classico from the most traditional grapes – Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – that is standing out. Metodo Classico which, moreover, finds interpreters in all the provinces, to the point that a new specific Doc Emilia is being considered. We shall see.

Tre Bicchieri 2026 of Emilia

Here are the wines that have obtained the highest recognition in the Vini d’Italia 2026 guide by Gambero Rosso.

• Arvange Pas Dosé M. Cl. 2020 – Valtidone
• Brut Rosé M. Cl. Cuvée – Francesco Bellei Francesco Bellei & C.
• Il Pigro Dosaggio Zero M. Cl. 2022 – Cantine Romagnoli
• Lambrusco di Sorbara Brut Rosé M. Cl. 2020 – Cantina della Volta
• Lambrusco di Sorbara Piria 2024 – Alberto Paltrinieri
• Lambrusco di Sorbara Vigna del Cristo 2024 – Cavicchioli
• Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Amabile Semprebon 2024 – Fattoria Moretto
• Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Vign. Cialdini 2024 – Cleto Chiarli Tenute Agricole
• Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Vini del Re 2024 – Cantina Settecani
• Reggiano Lambrusco Concerto 2024 – Medici Ermete

Tre Bicchieri 2026: Romagna of Sangiovese and Albana

Let us come to Romagna. It is a real (positive) revolution that has affected the entire area stretching from Bologna towards the Adriatic. The major changes have concerned above all Sangiovese which, for some time now, has moved from being a generic grape variety to one that today can boast a strong Denomination called Romagna Sangiovese (putting the name of the Origin first, in our opinion, is in any case a step forward that many DOCs should adopt), arriving at no fewer than 16 subzones that identify the different areas. In this way the famous red is becoming an increasingly territorial, original, unique wine, and the times when sterile imitations of the great Tuscan reds were sought are far behind us. In the glass we now find more and more often, beyond the differences of the individual territories, luminous, elegant, fine wines of great drinkability that more closely respect the peculiarities of the grape in these parts.

Let us move on to the whites. If Sangiovese is the prince, Albana is certainly the princess, with its versatility. Tasting the different Albanas of Romagna is pure enjoyment, given that this particular native variety is capable of offering young, fresh and fragrant wines, more evolved and complex whites, sumptuous and enveloping sweet wines (thanks to the Passito typology provided for by the regulations), without forgetting the versions macerated on the skins. It is true, perhaps the critical issue lies in the lack of homogeneity that would make it easier to understand the peculiarities of the grape and of the individual territories where it is born, but this versatility is nonetheless a considerable added value. Moreover, more and more investment is being made in this variety, as demonstrated by the association “Brisighella, anima dei tre colli” and the recently created Brix project, aimed precisely at enhancing Albana.

Tre Bicchieri 2026 of Romagna

Here are the wines that have obtained the highest recognition in the Vini d’Italia 2026 guide by Gambero Rosso.

• Romagna Albana Codronchio 2023 – Fattoria Monticino Rosso
• Romagna Albana Secco Corallo Giallo 2024 – Gallegati
• Romagna Sangiovese Bertinoro Ris. Bron & Rusèval 2021 – Celli
• Romagna Sangiovese Modigliana V. Probi Ris. 2022 – Villa Papiano
• Romagna Sangiovese Predappio Godenza 2023 – Noelia Ricci
• Romagna Sangiovese Predappio Le Lucciole Ris. 2022 – Chiara Condello