Emilia-Romagna: A World-Renowned Culinary Kingdom
This region has flourished as a transportation hub since ancient Roman times. The Via Emilia, connecting Piacenza and Rimini, is lined with cities known for their rich food culture, such as Bologna, Parma, Modena, and Reggio Emilia, earning it the moniker "Gourmet Road." A distinctive feature is the extravagant culinary tradition that remains as a legacy from the Renaissance, when the Visconti family ruled Parma and Piacenza, and the Este family governed Modena, Reggio Emilia, and Ferrara, a period when splendid culture blossomed.
Even today, it is considered one of Italy's wealthiest regions, with low unemployment rates. Famous supercars like Ferrari and Lamborghini, well-known to Japanese consumers, are manufactured in the province of Modena.
Unlike Emilia, where refined court culture thrived, Romagna is a region of cheerful and vibrant peasant culture. Today, the Romagna coast attracts a large number of beachgoers in the summer, making it a popular destination for summer vacations.
Lambrusco Gains Attention as a Food-Friendly Wine
Emilia is the home of Lambrusco, a pleasant, lightly sparkling red wine. Until a while ago, large quantities of sweet, simple types were exported to America, but in recent years, the quality of delightful dry Lambrusco, supported by connoisseurs, has improved. It is now re-gaining attention as a fresh, food-friendly wine.
In the province of Modena, DOC Lambrusco di Sorbara, DOC Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce, and DOC Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro are produced. In the province of Reggio Emilia, DOC Reggiano is made.
Sorbara and Salamino di Santa Croce are light-colored, easy-drinking Lambrusco wines that are fresh and elegant. The Sorbara variant, in particular, is known for its grace.
Grasparossa di Castelvetro is a darker, fuller-bodied Lambrusco, while Reggiano has the largest production volume and is extensively exported.
Colli Bolognesi Classico Pignoletto DOCG, produced near Bologna, is a mineral-driven, fresh white wine that has gained popularity.
In Romagna, Romagna Sangiovese DOC is important. Produced in the limestone hills on the northern side of the Emilian-Tuscan Apennines, the best examples have elegant fruit and vibrant acidity.
Romagna Albana DOCG is a unique wine, made from the white Albana grape, which has a subtle tannic quality. It can produce fresh yet powerful dry wines, complex orange wines, and rich sweet wines, making it an intriguing varietal.
Emilia: Italy's Foremost Treasury of Ingredients
This region is known as a treasure trove of ingredients and is constantly attracting global attention.
In addition to Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano, famous products include Culatello di Zibello from the village of Zibello, Mortadella from Bologna, and Aceto Balsamico di Modena (balsamic vinegar) from Modena.
The cuisine is rich and hearty, using plenty of butter and cream, sometimes jokingly called "the enemy of diets!" but its deliciousness continues to captivate the world.
Handmade egg pasta is enjoyed throughout the region, with well-known dishes including Tagliatelle alla bolognese (flat pasta topped with meat sauce), Tortellini (small pasta parcels filled with prosciutto or meat from Bologna), and Lasagna al forno (layers of pasta, meat sauce, and béchamel sauce baked in the oven).
Bollito misto (a dish of various cuts of beef, chicken, cotechino, and zampone boiled together – also commonly eaten in Piedmont and Veneto) is famous.
The Romagna region features more rustic peasant dishes, offering a sense of warmth.
Sources, Citations, and References:
"Professional Italian Wine Manual: Italian Wine 2018-2021 Edition," published by Wine Kingdom Co., Ltd., supervised by Isao Miyajima, in cooperation with Nichi-O Shōji Co., Ltd.
