Classic towns of Emilia Romagna

The quality and range of foods produced in the Emilia Romagna region is unrivalled across the 20 regions of Italy. Gastronomically speaking, most Italians would agree that this region has it all. Just to the northwest the adjoining region of Piedmont and Lombardia to the north both offer incredible Locavore experiences and I will cover these regions as future topics.

Parmigiano Reggiano

Best Wine and Food Destinations in Emilia Romagna

Emilia Romagna is a treasure trove for wine and food lovers. Here are the top destinations to include in your itinerary:

• Bologna – Culinary capital, famous for tagliatelle al ragù, mortadella, and tortellini.

• Parma – Renowned for Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto di Parma. My favorite city of the region.

• Modena – Home of traditional balsamic vinegar and Lambrusco wine.

• Reggio Emilia – Known for Parmigiano Reggiano and Lambrusco wine.

• Ravenna – Excellent seafood and piadina from the Adriatic coast.

• Ferrara – Pumpkin-filled cappellacci pasta and local wines.

• Rimini – Fresh seafood, piadina, and lively beachside dining.

• Faenza – Famous for ceramics and Sangiovese wine.

Each town combines rich culinary traditions with local wines, making Emilia Romagna a top destination for food and wine lovers.

Bologna Corridors

Emilia Romagna is home to a diverse range of wines, each reflecting the unique character of its subregions. Here’s a quick guide to the most notable wines you’ll encounter:

Lambrusco A sparkling red wine, Lambrusco is produced mainly around Modena, Reggio Emilia, and Parma. It ranges from dry to sweet and is known for its vibrant fruitiness, refreshing bubbles, and ability to pair perfectly with local cured meats and cheeses.

Sangiovese di Romagna This is the region’s most important still red wine, grown in the Romagna area (around Faenza, Forlì, Cesena, and Rimini). Sangiovese here is approachable, medium-bodied, and offers flavors of cherry, plum, and subtle spice.

Albana di RomagnaAlbana is a white grape native to Romagna, producing both dry and sweet wines. Albana di Romagna DOCG is Italy’s first white wine to receive DOCG status. The wine is aromatic, with notes of apricot, peach, and almond.

Pignoletto A crisp, lively white wine from the hills around Bologna and Modena. Pignoletto is often made in a lightly sparkling (frizzante) style and is perfect as an aperitif or with light dishes.

Gutturnio From the Colli Piacentini area (near Piacenza), Gutturnio is a blend of Barbera and Croatina grapes. It’s a robust, fruity red, available in both still and sparkling versions.

Trebbiano Widely grown in Emilia Romagna, Trebbiano produces fresh, light white wines that are easy to drink and pair well with seafood and salads.

Malvasia Malvasia di Candia Aromatica is used for aromatic, floral white wines, often made in a sparkling style in the Colli Piacentini and Parma areas.

Other Notables The region also produces excellent sparkling wines (spumante), rosés, and dessert wines, with many small producers focusing on organic and traditional methods.

Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale Modena.