Wine Weekends Emilia-Romagna

More information on Emilia-Romagna

Emilia Romagna is the perfect destination if you want to enjoy memorable wine tastings and winery visits while discovering some of Italy's most iconic food products. This region was born by the union of two different territories, Emilia and Romagna. Emilia, located in the hinterland, is the land of many PDO and PGI products that represent Italy's food excellence, such as Parmigiano Reggiano, traditional balsamic vinegar and Prosciutto di Parma. Romagna instead borders the Adriatic Sea and is known for its beaches, filled with nightlife during summer, and suggestive hill villages.

Emilia Romagna represents one of the largest wine-growing areas in Italy with over 60.000 hectares and, while here, you will have the chance to experience the variety of wines produced in this area during your wine tastings. The difference between Emilia and Romagna in fact is clear also when looking at the types of wines produced and cultivated grapes. Emilia, the western part, is the land of Lambrusco, a sparkling red wine. In Romagna instead, located on the eastern side, wines are mostly still and produced with Sangiovese, Albana and Pignoletto grapes. Together, the two areas of Emilia Romagna boast 18 DOC, two DOCG and nine IGT appellations.

Which food to taste in Emilia-Romagna?

The distinction between Emilia and Romagna becomes even clearer when looking at the traditional dishes eaten within the region. Nevertheless, throughout the region's territory, you will be able to savor many of Italy's excellencies between a wine tasting and a winery tour. Not by chance, this area is known as Italy's Food Valley. Emilia is the land of fresh egg pasta like tagliatelle with Bolognese ragù, tortellini and tortelloni, cold cuts like Prosciutto di Parma and Culatello di Zibello, Parmiggiano Reggiano and other specialties like Erbazzone. Romagna's cuisine instead includes more fish-based dishes with products like clams and sardines. Fresh pasta plays a big role also in Romagna's cuisine, with shapes like tagliatelle and ravioli. Finally, Romagna's most iconic dish is perhaps Piadina, a sort of flatbread.

Which wines to taste in Emilia-Romagna?

About two-thirds of Emilia Romagna's viticulture is concentrated in its plains. Even so, the region offers a great variety of wines you will discover during your wine tastings and visits to wineries. Within Emilia's area, the most widespread black grape varieties are Barbera, Croatina and Bonarda, as well as many grapes from the Lambrusco family (Salamino, Maestri, Marani, di Sorbara, Grasparossa and Montericco). Malvasia di Candia, Ortrugo and Moscato bianco are instead the most common white grape varieties. Some international grape varieties can also be found, such as Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Riesling and Riesling and Müller-Thurgau. In Romagna, the most widespread black grape variety is instead Sangiovese, and the most widespread white one is Trebbiano Romagnolo. Other common varieties found in this area are Pagadebit and Albana.

Which is the best season to visit Emilia-Romagna?

The best moments to visit Emilia Romagna are spring and autumn when the mild temperatures will allow you to enjoy the many wine tastings, winery visits and historical highlights the territory has to offer without suffering from the hot and muggy summer weather.

What things to do in Emilia-Romagna?

Emilia Romagna's diverse territory offers a multitude of activities and historical sites to visit between a winery tour and a wine tasting. Some of the highlights that shouldn't be missed are the historical city centers of Bologna, Modena, Parma, Ferrara, Ravenna and Reggio Emilia, with sites like the Asinelli towers and San Luca's Sanctuary, the Estense Castle, The Casentinesi Forest National Park, San Marino.