Table of contents

Ancellotta, the Emilia-Romagna specialty

Ancellotta, noble vine from Emilia-Romagna, Lambrusco relative, rare and with unknown parent varieties.
Badge with the Mathier logo

Diego Mathier

6. January 2025 - 7 min reading time

Table of contents

Ripe Ancellotta grapes - the basis for Ancellotta red wine

The most important facts in brief

  • The most important facts at a glance: Ancellotta is grown on 4,700 hectares worldwide, of which 1,700 hectares are in Italy (Emilia Romagna, Lombardy) and 1,000 hectares in Brazil. Dark colour, fruity, low acidity.
  • History and origin: Ancellotta, a noble grape variety from Emilia Romagna and a close relative of the Lambrusco family, has unknown parent varieties and little distribution.
  • Grape characteristics: Ancellotta is sensitive to frost, resistant to wind and drought, late-ripening and susceptible to botrytis and downy mildew; grapes are blue-black, thick-skinned.
  • Uses: Ancellotta produces dark, fruity, low-acid wines, ideal for blending and as a colouring grape; also used for very fruity, dark grape juice.

Ancellotta red wine

You can find Ancellotta in various high-quality red wine blends in our online store. Our range also includes numerous other white wines, rosé wines, red wines and sparkling wines. Lovers of high-proof spirits will also find an exquisite selection of digestifs in the shop. If you are looking for a gift, we recommend the various tasting boxes from our gift service, for example, or a gift voucher, which gives the recipient a free choice in our online shop.

The most important facts about the Ancellotta variety at a glance

  • Ancellotta is grown on almost 4’700 hectares of land worldwide, but mainly in the Italian regions of Emilia Romagna and Lombardy on 1’700 hectares (followed by Brazil with just under 1’000 hectares). It is also authorised as a product for viticulture in Piedmont, Veneto, Friuli, Tuscany and Sardinia.
  • The grapes produce a wine that is characterised by its dark colour, pronounced fruit and low acidity. Not least because of its dark colour, the grape is very well suited as a colouring grape for products that are marketed as assemblages.

Origin

Ancellotta is considered a close relative of the Lambrusco family. It is an old grape variety from Emilia Romagna, a parent variety cannot be proven and there is little information about its origin. Despite its limited distribution, it belongs to the noble grapevines(Vitis vinifera subsp. vinifera).

Ancellotta red wine bottle and glass on an old wooden table - wine enjoyment in the Italian region

Properties

Features

Frosty vines in spring - weather influence on Ancellotta grapes

Ancellotta is known to be moderately sensitive to spring frosts. It shows good resistance to wind and drought. Rather late ripening, it is susceptible to botrytis and downy mildew.

The five-lobed, deeply indented leaves are medium-sized. The grapes are pyramid-shaped and of medium density. The vine often also forms a wing with small clusters. The berries themselves have a waxy, rather thick skin and are blue to black in colour.

Ancellotta grapes in a wooden box - start of harvest and grape quality

Utilisation

Wine type

Ancellotta produces dark-coloured, fruity and low-acid wines. These red wines are excellent for blending and are often used as colouring grapes. Another product obtained from the variety is a very fruity, dark-coloured grape juice.

Ancellotta red wine in a glass and carafe - full-bodied red wine made from Ancellotta grapes

Ancellotta and its synonyms

There are only a few synonyms, an indication of its limited distribution: Ancelotta di Massenzatico, Ancelotti, Balsamina Nera, Lancelotta, Rossissimo, Uino and Uvino.

Ancellotta red wine served with pizza - the perfect combination for Italian dishes

Subscribe to our newsletter & benefit

Subscribe to our newsletter and benefit from interesting offers.

By clicking on Register, you confirm that you accept our terms and conditions.