Famoso is an ancient white grape variety from Romagna, also known as Rambèla, Rambella and Valdoppiese. The first historical record dates back to 1437, in a document relating to the municipal tax of Lugo di Romagna; during the nineteenth century, it was found mainly in the countryside and hills around Cesena, where it was also grown as a table grape. After a long period of decline, it was rediscovered in the early 2000s, starting with old vineyards, and was subsequently entered in the National Register of Vine Varieties in 2009.
From an ampelographic point of view, it has medium-sized leaves, generally wedge-shaped, entire or slightly three-lobed. The bunch is medium-sized, conical and rather loose, whilst the berry, obovoid in shape, has a firm, thick and pruinose skin, of a yellowish-green colour. Today, Famoso is mainly grown in the Romagna areas of Ravenna and Forlì-Cesena, between Lugo, Bagnacavallo, Faenza, Brisighella, Bertinoro and Mercato Saraceno, with some also found in the Pesaro area.
The wine is characterised by its straw-yellow colour, sometimes with greenish highlights, and by an intense, floral and fruity aromatic profile, with hints of white flowers, elderflower, citrus, peach, exotic fruit and notes of ripe fruit. On the palate, it combines freshness, smoothness, savouriness and medium body. It is particularly expressive when young, though it can develop greater complexity with a short period of ageing.
