Explore the Best Wineries in Emilia - Romagna

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Travel Guide to Emilia-Romagna Wine Region

Emilia Romagna is the Region where top Italian products and names are born. Starting from Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Parma Ham finished with Ferrari and Lamborghini and anything else you wish for. The region offers a sensual blend of both natural and cultural wonders: Marvelous renaissances monuments, UNESCO heritage sites, seaside rivieras, national parks and of course superstar gastronomy together with its vibrant wines.

If you are a wine-lover, do not forget to try wine tastings & tours in Emilia-Romagna proposed by the local producers!


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Levizzano village, Emilia-Romagna wine region

What does Emilia-Romagna Wine Region Have to Offer

The Land of Lambrusco

58 000 hectares are under vine in Emilia-Romagna wine region, almost half of them in the plain. Not quite 5 million hectoliters of wine are produced. One of the most famous grape varieties of the region is the Lambrusco, which is mainly sweet and sparkling and developed around Modena.

Two-thirds are in the large alluvial soil, but the best areas are in the hills on the southern border at the foot of the Apennines. The area of Emilia is mainly known for frizzante and spumante, the pearling or sparkling red and rosé wines from different Lambrusco varieties, which are largely produced as tasty and young to drink mass wines.

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Lambrusco vineyards near Modena, Emilia-Romagna wine region

Lambrusco is the most renowned wine from Emilia-Romagna. The name Lambrusco covers red sparkling wines as well as around 60 grape varieties that wine is made from. However, the most common grapes varieties are Lambrusco Salamino and Lambrusco Grasparossa.

A Lil' History: The history of winegrowing in Emilia-Romagna goes back to the Etruscan era as finds at Faenza confirm. In the Middle Ages, a number of vines such as Lambrusco, Sangiovese or Pignatello were already of national importance. International varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc have also been present in the region since the 19th century.

Emilia - Romagna Wine Region Map

Emilia-Romagna Wine Map

There is Much More Than Lambrusco

Emilia-Romagna wine region also finds success in producing red wines from Sangiovese grape variety. Sangiovese is the most widespread Italian grape variety producing wonderful wines such as Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti and Montepulciano. In Emilia-Romagna wine region red wines from Sangiovese express the style in Sangiovese di Romagna DOC with red-violet colour, berry aromas and silky tannins.

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Among the red wines, you can also find the Barbera which can deliver appealing and straight red wines there.

In addition to Sangiovese and Lambrusco, Pinot Noir plays an important role among the red grape varieties in Emilia-Romagna. In the meantime, growers also have international varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon in their portfolio.

Appellations: The nine IGT (or IGP) areas of the region are Bianco di Castelfranco Emilia, Emilia or dell' Emilia, Forlì, Fortana del Taro, Ravenna, Rubicone, Sillaro or Bianco del Sillaro, Terre di Veleja, and Val Tidone. Italy's first white wine classified as DOCG was the Albana di Romagna. The 20 DOC / DOCG zones account for around 25% of production.

Grape varieties: The most widespread red grape varieties are Barbera, Sangiovese, Lambrusco and Cabernet Sauvignon. As for white grapes, Malvasia, Albana, Trebbiano occupy the main vineyards as well as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay from international varietals.

White Wines of Emilia-Romagna Wine Region

White wines in Emilia-Romagna are mostly made from the Trebbiano, which you can taste during a visit to Folicello Societa Agricola, and Malvasia varieties, which are usually light, subtly fruity and fresh wines that should be drunk young.

Italy's first white wine classified as DOCG (Albana di Romagna) even comes from local winemakers. This white wine is from the Albana grape and is also offered in a sweet variety of rosined grapes. Tenuta Neri Giovanni e Valeria produces wine with this fabulous grape variety.


Top Wineries you can visit in Emilia-Romagna Wine Region

There is a lot to explore in this exclusive corner of Italy. Discover all the wineries in Emilia-Romagna that will introduce you to the local wines, and grape varieties, and tell you the story about how they make it.

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Casa Benna

Surrounded by unspoiled nature, the Casa Benna Winery is located among the gentle hills of Piacenza in a mesmerizing town – Castell’Arquato, in the Emilia region of Italy. Since 2011, the winery is a member of the FIVI Italian Federation of Independent Winegrowers.

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Villaoppi

VILLA OPPI: Known also by the name of ‘Castle of Oppi’, it started its activity as an ancient Roman post station(a building where the traveller would stop to relax, restore and change horses) about 2000 years ago, thanks to its strategic location along the busy Via Emilia, halfway between the cities of Piacenza and Parma.

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Torre Fornello

Torre Fornello is located in the province of Ziano Piacentino, in the beautiful Val Tidone in the Colli Piacentini. The vineyards are standing on one of the four valleys that characterize the hills of Piacenza, in Emilia Romagna.

Top 3 Cities to Visit in Emilia-Romagna Wine Region

Modena - Home to Most Iconic Brand Names

Modena is located about 40 kilometres northwest of Bologna and is in dispute with the capital for a cause. Both cities claim to have invented the tortellini. In fact: in both cities, they taste delicious! In addition, the treasure of Modena is also a culinary highlight: a very long matured grape vinegar, which is an indispensable part of high-quality gastronomy today. Be sure to taste it!


But there is also a lot to discover culturally, Modena as a city embraces art, music and culture. The Palazzo Ducale is a gigantic palace that served as the residence of the Este family. Until today, the Accademia Militare is housed there and the garden can be visited.

Don't miss stunning Piazza Grande and Romanesque Cathedral of San Geminiano with its bell tower Ghirlandina, which is the landmark of Modena.

TIP: What about an aperitivo in front of the Palazzo? So you can enjoy a glass of wine and admire the architecture.

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Cathedral of San Geminiano with its bell tower Ghirlandina

Although there are many people on bicycles, Modena is home to two major car brands: Ferrari and Lamborghini. In the Enzo Ferrari Museum, you can experience fast luxury cars once very close and listen to how it all started.

Parma - Scent of Parmigano Reggiano and Prosciutto

The old town of Parma is quite compact, so everything can be explored on foot.

The car-free Cathedral Square with the Romanesque Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the octagonal baptistery made of pink marble forms a unique architectural ambience and is rightly the pride of the city. Here you should begin a walk to explore the city.

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Piazza Duomo, Parma

The Piazza Della Pace is lined with the massive Pillota Palace, built in the late 16th century. Today, there are museums, a library and the art gallery of the University of Parma.

Right next door is Piazza Ghiaia, where the market has been located since the 12th century. Perfect for buying Parmesan and Parma ham. Market days are Wednesday and Saturday.

Another must-see in Parma is Piazza Garibaldi, the elegant meeting place of the citizens of Parma, with its numerous bars, cafes, and restaurants, set against the backdrop of the former government palace (Palazzo del Governatore).

Piacenza - Hidden Beauty

In the northwest of Emilia-Romagna Piacenza is located. Although the city is the provincial capital and with more than 100,000 inhabitants not that small, almost nobody knows Piacenza. But that should change because the city is really worth seeing.

Here you can admire many beautiful palazzi left in the city from noble wealthy families that lived here in ancient times.

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Bobbio, Piacenza, Emilia Romagna

The most important street in the old town is Via XX Settembre. This connects the Piazza del Cavalli with the cathedral and houses many shops and cafes. It's a pleasure to go through. In any case, one should look up from time to time to avoid missing a lovely balcony and a beautiful facade.

You can also discover one of the largest and most beautiful Romanesque church, The Cattedrale di Piacenza, which is not just a church, but it also has great historical and artistic importance.

Don't hesitate to explore surroundings of Piacenza, where you discover ancient town and villages.


Spots for Nature Lovers in Emilia-Romagna Wine Region

Versatile landscape of Emilia-Romagna

If you like walking or simply being surrounded by nature, you should definitely visit the south of Emilia-Romagna. Here are the northern foothills of Italy's longest mountain range, with wooded hills, pretty mountain villages and numerous spas where you can swim in warm thermal water.

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Po Delta Park, Emilia-Romagna

National Park Foreste Casentinesi - The Green Heart

To the southeast, on the border with Tuscany, lies the Foreste Casentinesi National Park, with the Ridracoli Reservoir, along which beautiful hiking trails stretch. Numerous animals can be found here, including deer, wolves, foxes and various species of birds and amphibians. If you do not like running, you can also sail with an electric boat across the lake or take part in a canoe tour.

Po-Delta Park - The Largest Regional Park in Italy

The Po Delta Park is one of the most important wetlands in Europe, haunted by nature lovers, biologists, and birdwatchers for its unique features: over 52,000 hectares divided between the provinces of Ferrara and Ravenna, with exceptional biodiversity and from the beginning of spring the scene of many environmental-related events, and much more.

The Po Delta Park has granted the status of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve because of the exeptional biodiversity.

Alta Via dei Parchi - A Hike Full of Nature Treasures

Wonderful views welcome hikers and nature lovers on the longest trekking path of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines.

Along this path with its wide panoramas, wild landscapes, and historical trails, one comes to discover the nature and culture of the formerly protected areas.


The trail stretches for about 500 km on the mountains of the Apennines between Emilia-Romagna, Marche and Tuscany, and includes most of the treasures of these places, from the ice zones and the lakes surrounded by the green prairies to the vast forests and the wild clear river, from the volcanic rocks to the cliffs of gypsum.

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The road starts in Berceto, in the province of Parma and goes up to the Verna rock in the province of Forlì-Cesena and through the province of Rimini to the mountain Carpegna.

Discover top Emilia-Romagna Wine Tour Guides and explore the finest Guided Wine Tours in the region.


Flavours of Emilia-Romagna Food Heaven

The Best Corner of Italian Cuisine

It is widely considered to be one of the best, if not the best Italian, cuisine: many of the local foods are known far beyond the country's borders.


Hardly any Italian region is richer in homemade pasta dishes: there are so many different types of pasta, fillings, and names for the many dishes: Tortelli, tortellini, ravioli cappelletti, Anolini or gnocchi. This list could take a whole page. But it's not only about pasta, but Emilia-Romagna wine region is also home to top Italian gastronomical products such as Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar, prosciutto of Parma, Bolognese sauce and many more.

Anyone staying in this region in June should not miss the Festa dei rivoltoni in Granaglione, in the province of Bologna. At this feast, free tortellini and ravioli with ricotta and parsley filling are sprinkled with butter or minced meat sauce and grated parmesan.

Tortellini al Brodo - Tortellini in a Broth

Tortellini al Brodo is part of the traditional cuisine of northern Italy. This was already 1550 part of the menu for the inauguration of the Tribune of the Senate in Bologna. And did you know it? The tortellini was served exclusively in soup until World War II. How did it come to that special form?

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The history of Bologna begins with a cook in love. He was spying on a beautiful Marquise who had taken a room in the inn. Through the keyhole, he caught a glimpse of her belly button. He could not get it out of his mind and when he made the pasta for dinner, his hands formed small belly buttons out of dough.

These navels are filled in Emilia-Romagna wine region with a mixture of veal, mortadella, ham, and Parmesan and then cooked in a broth, which is then eaten as a soup.

Brodetto - A Dish from the Adriatic Coast

The Brodetto is thick fish soup and is poured in this variant for serving over slices of bread placed in the soup plates.

The Brodetto was born out of necessity when Adriatic fishermen were trying to use the catch, which was hard to sell due to its low quality or too small dimensions. As always, every town on the coast has its own little variation, but it does not fundamentally change the basic recipe, which is characterized by using different qualities of naturally fresh fish, which vary according to the season. The broth consists of tomatoes, vinegar, onions and spices.

Zuppa Inglese - the Italian Biscuit Dessert

The basis of the Zuppa Inglese is - similar to the Tiramisu - sponge biscuits, which are drizzled with liqueur, classically Alchermes, but also rum, sambuca or dessert wines such as Marsala. In contrast to its espresso-containing Venetian counterpart, the Zuppa is prepared with candied fruits such as melons, quinces or apricots. The dessert is often prepared in variants with chocolate cream, more rarely with coffee or cinnamon.


Frequently Asked Questions about Emilia-Romagna Wine Region

1. Where is the Emilia-Romagna wine region located?


Emilia-Romagna wine region is located in north-central Italy, neighbooring the Ligurian Sea. In Emilia-Romagna you can find the provinces of provinces of Bologna, Ferrara, Modena, Parma, Reggio Emilia, Piacenza, Rimini, Ravenna and Forlì-Cesena.

2. What are the most famous sub-regions and appellations in Emilia-Romagna?


Emilia-Romagna has several wine sub-regions classified as appellations. In total, there are 19 DOCs, 2 DOCG (Albana di Romagna and Colli Bolognese Classico Pignoletto), and 9 IGPs.

3. What are the main grape varieties in Emilia-Romagna?

The main grape varieties under vine in Emilia-Romagna are Malvasia, Lambrusco, Trebbiano, Barbera, Bonarda, and Sangiovese.

4. What is the best wine to try in Emilia-Romagna?

Sangiovese might be the best wine to try when visiting wineries in Emilia-Romagna. The most common Italian grape, Sangiovese, produces top-quality wines in this region and it is something worth trying.

5. What is a Lambrusco wine?

Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine from Emilia-Romagna. Lambrusco is a fizzy often sweet but also dry sparkling wine (secco or amabile).

Discover Emilia - Romagna With Local Wine Guides

Check out our local wine tour guides with their wine tour offers to have everything organized when visiting the Emilia - Romagna wine region.

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Sarah

Sarah

Offers tours in:
Emilia - Romagna, Italy

I'm Sarah, a British wine and food travel writer, outdoor guide, tour leader and sommelier....

€75.00
Bologna Tour

Bologna Tour

BOLOGNA TOUR

€100.00
Filippo M

Filippo M

I was born and raised in Bologna and took my studies here until my graduation. I have been a...

€69.00

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