| So you have decided to visit Emilia-Romagna on | | | | Make sure to stop by the Piazza Garibaldi. |
| the Gulf of Venice coast. This region is large | | | | Emilia-Romagna is associated with one of Italy's |
| enough to border six other Italian regions as well | | | | best-known wine scandals. The Albana di |
| as the tiny country of San Marino. Emilia-Romagna | | | | Romagna DOCG was the first white wine to be |
| is known for its food, not particularly its wine. | | | | awarded this top of the line wine designation |
| Three of the local specialties are the uncooked | | | | where the G stands for Garantita. In the interest |
| ham Prosciutto, balsamic vinegar, and | | | | of full disclosure I have never tasted this wine. |
| Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. But that's not all; | | | | But this designation is very widely described as |
| Emilia-Romagna is widely considered to be the | | | | controversial at best. The sweet wine is |
| capital of Italian gastronomy. | | | | considered better, but it pricey. Among the reds |
| Let's take a quick tour. Rimini is a popular coastal | | | | look for Barbarossa-based wines, Lambrusco di |
| resort town, made famous in Fellini's 1973 movie | | | | Sorbara DOC and Lambrusco Salamino di Santa |
| Amaracord. Bologna, right in the center, is the | | | | Croce DOC. Although most imported Lambrusco |
| birthplace of Tortellini and home to one of | | | | is frizzy red, this grape family is vinified in a |
| Europe's oldest Universities. Student or not, check | | | | variety of red, rose, and white styles. While the |
| out the wine bars especially the Godot Wine Bar | | | | Emilia-Romagna food can be great, you may |
| right near the Piazza Santo Stefano. Then head | | | | accompany it with wines from other Italian |
| north to Ferrara, also featured in a film, Da Sica's | | | | regions. |
| 1971 The Garden of the Finzi-Continis. In addition | | | | Common white grape varieties include the local |
| to the usual complement of castles, churches, | | | | Albana and Pignoletto, the Italian Malvasia and |
| palaces, make sure to tour the medieval Via delle | | | | Trebbiano, and the international Chardonnay and |
| Volte and, if you're into museums, the Museo | | | | Sauvignon Blanc. Common red varieties include the |
| Ebraico (Jewish Museum). End your tour at the | | | | local Bonarda, the Italian Barbera and Sangiovese, |
| Osteria al Brindisi, Europe's oldest wine bar, | | | | and the international Cabernet Sauvignon. |
| founded in 1435. Heading northwest you'll come to | | | | Companies selling wine tours of Emilia-Romagna |
| Modena, home of balsamic vinegar, Ferrari and | | | | include Select Italy, Emilia Delizia, Bologna Wine |
| Maserati sports cars. The old city has a fine | | | | Tours, and Wine Tour Italia. Emilia-Romagna |
| Duomo (Cathedral) and what may be the world's | | | | wineries that accept visits and provide lodgings |
| oldest delicatessen, Salumeria Giusti, founded in | | | | (agriturismo) include Azienda Agricola |
| 1605. Parma still retains a French influence. It's | | | | Montevecchio Isolani in Monte San Pietro and |
| home to two of the region's major three culinary | | | | Azienda Agricola Gaggioli - Vigneto Bagazzana in |
| treats, Parmesan cheese and Prosciutto ham. | | | | Zola Predosa. |