| So you want to tour Emilia-Romagna on the Gulf | | | | the Piazza Garibaldi. |
| of Venice coast. This region is large enough to | | | | Emilia-Romagna is home to one of Italy's |
| border on six other Italian regions as well as the | | | | best-known wine scandals. The Albana di |
| tiny country of San Marino. Emilia-Romagna is | | | | Romagna DOCG was the first white wine |
| known for its food, not particularly its wine. Three | | | | awarded this top of the line wine designation |
| of its local specialties are uncooked Prosciutto | | | | where the G stands for Garantita. In the interest |
| ham, balsamic vinegar, and Parmigiano-Reggiano | | | | of full disclosure I have never tasted this wine. |
| cheese. But there's a lot more great food; | | | | 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 is pricey. Among the |
| Let's take a quick tour. Rimini is a popular coastal | | | | reds look for Barbarossa-based wines, Lambrusco |
| resort town, made famous in Fellini's 1973 movie | | | | di 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. |
| memorable 1971 The Garden of the Finzi-Continis. | | | | Common white grape varieties include the local |
| In addition to the usual complement of castles, | | | | Albana and Pignoletto, the Italian Malvasia and |
| churches, palaces, be sure that you visit the | | | | Trebbiano, and the international Chardonnay and |
| medieval Via delle Volte and, if you're into | | | | Sauvignon Blanc. Common red varieties include the |
| museums, the Museo Ebraico (Jewish Museum). | | | | local Bonarda, the Italian Barbera and Sangiovese, |
| End your tour at the Osteria al Brindisi, Europe's | | | | and the international Cabernet Sauvignon. |
| oldest wine bar, founded in 1435. Heading | | | | Companies selling wine tours of Emilia-Romagna |
| northwest you'll come to Modena, home of | | | | include Select Italy, Emilia Delizia, Bologna Wine |
| balsamic vinegar, Ferrari and Maserati sports cars. | | | | Tours, and Wine Tour Italia. Emilia-Romagna |
| The old city has a fine Duomo (Cathedral) and | | | | wineries that accept visits and provide lodgings |
| what may be the world's oldest delicatessen, | | | | (agriturismo) include Azienda Agricola |
| Salumeria Giusti, founded in 1605. Parma still | | | | Montevecchio Isolani in Monte San Pietro and |
| retains a French influence. It's home to two of the | | | | Azienda Agricola Gaggioli - Vigneto Bagazzana in |
| region's major three culinary treats, Parmesan | | | | Zola Predosa. |
| cheese and Prosciutto ham. Make sure to stop by | | | | |