📍 Emilia

Emilia is the western part of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy, with the cities of Modena, Reggio Emilia, Parma and Piacenza. It covers the plain of the Po and the first foothills of the Apennines. The area is known for food, such as Parma ham, Parmesan and balsamic vinegar, and for wine that goes well with it.

The main wine of Emilia is Lambrusco, a light red, often sparkling or lightly fizzy. Several Lambrusco grapes grow here, each with its own home: Sorbara, Salamino di Santa Croce, Grasparossa di Castelvetro. The wine is bright, dry or off-dry, with a scent of berries and violets. It is served chilled with fatty meat dishes.

On the hills of Piacenza, Gutturnio is made from Barbera and Croatina, along with Ortrugo. Around Scandiano and Canossa grows Malvasia di Candia Aromatica. The hills of Bologna are known for sparkling Pignoletto. There are also white wines from Trebbiano.

For comparison with its neighbours: to the east lies Romagna, where the main grape is Sangiovese along with white Albana, to the north the region borders Lombardy, and to the south Tuscany and Liguria.