Emilia-Romagna

Imagination, Creativity, Passion and History.

A triangle located in the north-centre of Italy, with its shortest side lapped by the Adriatic Sea and the other larger two resting along the river Po and the Apennine mountains. Such is Emilia-Romagna, a region in which cities, towns, villages and roads create a thick network over hilly or flat land, rich in rivers and canals. The ancient and important roman road, the Via Emilia, weaves together all provinces from its far western side right up to the sea. The strength of this region lies in its diversification, not only of culture, but also of economy: the background of its production is formed by small industries, well equipped and structured for the export market such as Carpi’s knitwear, Modena’s tiles, Faenza’s ceramics and the famous car manufacturers of Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini and Ducati. The capital city of the region is Bologna, seat of the oldest University in the world and a crossroad of European worldcultures.Music is at home in Emilia-Romagna: Verdi and Mascagni were born here, Rossini lived in Bologna, in love with the city and its cuisine.

But perhaps it is its gastronomy that makes the region so well known throughout the world. In Emilia-Romagna food is both an art and a passion. The history and the traditions for which this region enjoys worldwide renown is its eno-gastronomical culture, which is at times rich and sophisticated and at other simple, yet ingenious. Its food and wine production is of the very highest level, in variety and quantity, thanks to an avant-guarde agriculture, a climate reliable because of the favourable geographical location and the application of the most innovative cultivation techniques.

These results are the fruit of a constant effort by the Region to promote and develop initiatives and projects aimed at improving the quality of its products, by means of new techniques in biological and integrated cultivations and animal husbandry in order to reduce to a minimum the use of chemicals. Emilia-Romagna is placed third amongst the regions of Italy in terms of importance in the organic sector and the regional administration has been committed for over twenty years to the development of an agriculture which is centred on quality and that is protective of the environment and health of its citizen (over 4.000 organic companies - which means 40% of the national market - and 7.7% of agricultural land farmed organically). The Region has in addition created several technical and consultancy offices offering support in maintaining such high levels of quality and guaranteeing the true origin of the products. Planning during the production phase, the professionalism of traders and the high technology used in processes phases are the outstanding features of the region’s fruit and vegetable system: integrated and organic farming methods, P.D.O. and P.G.I. products and certification  guaranteed by the region’s own “Quality Controlled” brand bear witness to the superior quality of the Emilia-Romagna region’s fruit and vegetable production. The results reach record standards, in the national production of sugar and wheat, tomatoes, wine, fruit and vegetable. Besides, Emilia-Romagna accounts for a fifth of the national production of animals for slaughter and a sixth of the milk production. Especially popular is the rearing of pigs for the production of the region’s typical high quality charcuterie such as Parma Ham, Modena Ham, Culatello of Zibello, Mordatella of Bologna and Salumi of Piacenza.

Emilia-Romagna is also one of the first regions in Europe to have implemented the Protected Designation of Origin (P.D.O.) and the Protected Geographical Indication (P.G.I.). The region has 33 P.D.O. and P.G.I. products and over 230 traditional products. Just considering some of its culinary icons such as Parma Ham, Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese, Traditional Balsamic Vinegar both from Modena and Reggio Emilia.

Wine products in the Emilia-Romagna region area are increasing. Since the very first Italian wine ever to acquire D.O.C.G. status (Albana di Romagna), the focus on quality has led to the recognition of regional wines as among Italy’s most excellent products. Particular emphasis has been placed on preservation and promotion of the autochthonous wines typical of the Emilia-Romagna territory that constitute the perfect accompaniments to the typical dishes of the region. The region has 1 D.O.C.G., 20 D.O.C. and 10 T.G.I. products and its most prestigious local wines include: Sangiovese di Romagna, the three Lambrusco wines of Modena (Sorbara, Grasparossa di Castelvetro and Salamino di Santa Croce), the Lambrusco wine of Reggio Emilia, the Pignoletto dei Colli Bolognesi, the Ortrugo of Piacenza, the Malvasia of Parma and the Fortana wines.

Agriculture in Emilia-Romagna is also synonymous with tourism. This is why the “Wines and Flavours Itinerary”, with 15 wine and food routes, has been mapped out to combine historical monuments and localities with quality foods and wines.
The Emilia-Romagna Region aims to protect this heritage. It is a region that guards unique and inimitable eno-gastronomic traditions forged by the coming together of quality, know-how and the territory itself: exquisite flavours, rich seams of delicious delights and unrepeatable sensory experiences. Such veritable treasures testify to an age-old bond between man and the land based on harmony, and paint the portrait of the true essence of Emilia-Romagna: its food.

Welcome to Emilia-Romagna, the land of good living.

• Emilia-Romagna Companies