You may not be familiar with Emilia Romagna by name, but I'm sure you've enjoyed many of the culinary delights that this region provides the world with including pasta bolognese, prosciutto di parma, parmigiano reggiano, salami and balsamic vinegar (aceto balsamico tradizionale).
If you are a wine drinker you probably have heard of Lambrusco from here. If you love cars how about Ferrari, Lamborghini, Ducati and Maserati? What about even a Gelato Univeristy? I'm in! Everything mentioned originates from the Emilia Romagna region. Now you can say you know Emilia Romagna even if you haven't ventured there yourself.
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| Landscape and Irrigation canals, brughi, of Emilia Romagna |
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| Barilla Factory in Parma |
I have visited Emilia Romagna a couple times now with my most recent trip a year ago. I based myself in Parma for a few nights and explored parts of the region trying to take it all in, but definitely could have spent more time there. There is nothing like eating in a region for the food in which it is known for.
Some of my notable moments of touring the region and countryside including my visit to the Museum of Prosciutto in Langhirano. This particular area is one of the biggest areas for prosciutto production and the entrance to museum is even free. It was interesting walking around and taking a look at the old tools and machines used in the production of prosciutto di parma. The video demonstrated the process where they used to get the salt from one of the local towns and rubbed the bone with paste and all the meat. They would place the prosciutto on racks for 20-22 days horizontally and then rinse and wash it off off. From there they would hang the prosciutto to dry making sure there were windows that provided better air flow to quicken the process in drying out the meat. Refrigerated rooms later changed all that.
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| All the delicious stops of food and wine in Emilia Romagna |
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| Fresh salami and a tasting in a shop at the Torrechiara Castle |
Another notable moment, which I have
discussed before on my blog was my visit to Acetaia
di Giorgio, which is a producer of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar
of Modena. I strongly recommend reading that experience as the
balsamic tasting was amazing! This is by far well above your average balsamic that most of the public is familiar with and well worth the investment of a bottle or two!
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| Tasting room of Acetaia di Giorgio |
What is pignoletto?
I actually didn't visit any wineries when I was there, but I have a wine that I would like to share with you today that includes a grape that is indigenous to the region, pignoletto, and an important white grape to this wine region. Pignoletto Classico of the Colli Bolognesi is one of the 2 DOCG's of Emilia Romagna both being made from white grapes. The other is Albana di Romagna DOCG from the albana grape. Pignoletto used to consist of wines that were made fizzy with a tinge of sweetness, but over time the wine has been revamped to now be produced in dry styles as well. The Colli Bolognesi is based around the capital of Emilia Romagna, Bologna.
I sampled the 2013
Manaresi Colli Bolognesi Classico Pignoletto, which was presented by
a local Italian wine importer of the Boston area, Nick Mucci of Mucci Imports, whom
specializes in promoting unique wines of Italy from small producers.
The wine is produced from 20 year old vines that are hand harvested. This wine was an aromatic wine with a bouquet of green apple and pineapple notes. Refreshing on the palate with good acidity. A persistent finish with a hint of nuttiness.
I actually didn't visit any wineries when I was there, but I have a wine that I would like to share with you today that includes a grape that is indigenous to the region, pignoletto, and an important white grape to this wine region. Pignoletto Classico of the Colli Bolognesi is one of the 2 DOCG's of Emilia Romagna both being made from white grapes. The other is Albana di Romagna DOCG from the albana grape. Pignoletto used to consist of wines that were made fizzy with a tinge of sweetness, but over time the wine has been revamped to now be produced in dry styles as well. The Colli Bolognesi is based around the capital of Emilia Romagna, Bologna.
I sampled the 2013
Manaresi Colli Bolognesi Classico Pignoletto, which was presented by
a local Italian wine importer of the Boston area, Nick Mucci of Mucci Imports, whom
specializes in promoting unique wines of Italy from small producers.
The wine is produced from 20 year old vines that are hand harvested. This wine was an aromatic wine with a bouquet of green apple and pineapple notes. Refreshing on the palate with good acidity. A persistent finish with a hint of nuttiness.
About Manaresi
Manaresi is a producer located in the town of Zola Predosa located south of Bologna owned by husband and wife team, Donatella and Fabio. The name Manaresi comes from the famous artist, Paolo Manaresi. His daughter bought the land, 20 acres (8 hectacres), in the 80's and built the vineyards and winery from scratch with their first wine production introduced in 2009.
This is a just a snapshot of this region, but don't stop there! Join our other bloggers and their featured articles this month on Emilia Romagna.
Manaresi is a producer located in the town of Zola Predosa located south of Bologna owned by husband and wife team, Donatella and Fabio. The name Manaresi comes from the famous artist, Paolo Manaresi. His daughter bought the land, 20 acres (8 hectacres), in the 80's and built the vineyards and winery from scratch with their first wine production introduced in 2009.
This is a just a snapshot of this region, but don't stop there! Join our other bloggers and their featured articles this month on Emilia Romagna.
