Canina Nera is a native Italian red wine grape grown in the Emilia Romagna region. It is often wrongly described as being identical to Fortana.
Where grown: Canina Nera was the most widespread variety in Romagna until the end of 1800s. Currently, Canina Nera is grown only in Emilia Romagna mainly around the towns of Russi, Santa Alberta, Bagnacavallo, Faenza, Cotignola, Lugo, and Castel Bolognese. It is included among the authorized varieties in a number of IGT wines such as Emilia IGT, Ravenna IGT, and Rubicone IGT. It is not easy to taste a pure example, as Canina Nera is almost always blended with other varieties such as Ancellotta and Marzemino.
Viticulture: Canina Nera has medium-large, pyramidal, long bunches and round berries of varying sizes within the same bunch.
Wine style: Red hue, almost like a rosato. Aromas of pomegranate, black fruits, and wet earth.
Bibliography
See Ian D’Agata, Native Wine Grapes of Italy (University of California Press, 2014).
Italian Wine Unplugged (Positive Press, 2017), p.163