| Headword | Ortrugo |
| Domain and subdomain | Beverage – wine |
| Grammatical label | Noun, sing. |
| Definition | White grape variety typical of Emilia Romagna, in particular of the territory of Piacenza, the exclusive area of cultivation. (1) |
| Note | The vine is rigorous, and apt for the cultivation on poor hilly soils. The best territory is clayey and calcareous; there, production is reduced, but the quality of the grape is enhanced. It is traditionally used to produce sparkling wine, and its vinification in still white wine has begun in recent times. The Ortrugo was recognized in 1984 and since the beginning of the ‘80s it has boasted the Denomination of Controlled Origin.The harvest is strictly manual, and all the phases of vinification take place at a controlled low temperature. The grapes undergo different processes: cryomaceration for 24 hours, fermentation with selected yeasts, continuous batonnage and a slight refermentation in bottle with classic method. The product has a pale straw yellow colour with greenish nuances, a delicate and characteristic flavour with a bitterish aftertaste. In its sparkling versions the foam is fine and persistent, and on the palate floral notes stand out. Ortrugo perfectly matches with fresh cheese, fish and cold cuts. (2) Legend has it that this grape variety has been present in Piacenza since time immemorial, even before the Romans. The first mention of Ortrugo dates back to 1881 and we find it in the great world map of vines that was the “Bollettino ampelografico”, but with the name “Altrugo”. (3) |
| Context | Ortrugo is a white wine grape variety grown in the Emilia-Romagna, a region of Italy. It is most famously used to make wines under the Colli Piacentini Ortrugo DOC (known officially as “Ortrugo dei Colli Piacentini” or “Ortrugo–Colli Piacentini”. (4) |
| Phonetic transcription | [or ‘tru go ˈwaɪn] |
| Synonyms/variants | ND |
| Etymology | The name derives from the term “altrughe”, which means “other grapes” and would indicate the use of this vine in combination with other grapes. It was only from the ‘70s that the value of this variety was recognized and a specific Ortrugo wine was produced. (5) |
| Product image |  (6) |
| Equivalents | ITA Ortrugo ESP Ortrugo FRA Ortrugo RO Ortrugo |
| Notes of the equivalents | In Italian, it is simply called “Ortrugo”. There is no need to specify the fact that it is a wine. |
| Date | 30/09/2021 |
| Last modified | 25/04/2023 |
| Institution | Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Dipartimento di Studi Linguistici e Culturali |
| Author Revisor | Chiara Buschi Gloria Zanella |
| Sources | 1)https://www.ilgustonauta.it/ortrugo/ 2)https://www.ilgustonauta.it/ortrugo/ 3)https://winedharma.com/it/vitigno/ortrugo-vitigno-caratteristiche-organolettiche-e-storia-del-vino-frizzante-dei-colli-piacent 4)https://www.wine-searcher.com/grape-1129-ortrugo 5) https://www.ilgustonauta.it/ortrugo/ 6)https://www.google.com/search?q=ortrugo&rlz=1C1FKPE_itIT932IT932&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwil8oy8n6bzAhUhmGoFHR8-ABgQ_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=733&bih=662&dpr=1.38#imgrc=xSOFMj0C-RSFBM |
