Albana is one of the most characteristic white grape varieties of Romagna, where its presence has been documented since at least the Middle Ages: as early as the 13th century, Pier de’ Crescenzi described a wine made from it as powerful, pleasant and suitable for ageing. Its earliest origins remain shrouded in speculation and tradition, whilst the name is generally traced back to the Latin *albus*, referring to the colour of the grape. The leaf is medium to large in size, pentagonal, and generally three- or five-lobed; the bunch is long, cylindrical or conical, often winged, ranging from moderately compact to loose. The berries, spherical or slightly elliptical, are of medium size, with a pruinose and firm skin, greenish-yellow in colour, which develops into golden hues when fully ripe. Its preferred growing area is the hills of Romagna, situated between the Imola, Faenza, Forlì and Cesena districts, particularly on the clayey and calcareous soils of the Spungone region. The wines produced are straw-yellow in colour, often turning golden with ageing, and offer aromas of white flowers, yellow fruit, ripe citrus, almonds and honey. On the palate, they display good acidity, warmth, full body and a characteristic, subtle tannic structure, with a persistent finish. The more structured versions possess remarkable ageing potential, whilst the drying process gives rise to complex, sweet and long-lived passito wines, sometimes enhanced by noble rot. In 1987, Albana became the first Italian white wine to be awarded DOCG status.