Mannaggia All'Alba 2023 Sangiovese Rubicone IGP, Italy

Rubicone

Crossing the Rubicone was a momentous event for Julius Caesar, although it is difficult to feel the significance today while standing on the banks of this sleepy rural river. The Rubicone includes wines produced in the eastern part of the Emilia-Romagna region, from the hills of Bologna to the Adriatic coast. Sangiovese reigns here, thriving in the rocky Apennine foothills and fertile plains. Modern examples add Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, while more traditional wines blend in the local Pignoletto and Ancellotta varieties. Whites are often made from Trebbiano, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Overall, Rubicone wines are well balanced and deliciously quaffable—this is not surprising for a region like Emilia-Romagna, where food and wine are inseparable.