Emilia-Romagna

A Gastronomic Bounty

Encompassing a vast swath of north-central Italy, Emilia-Romagna is perhaps best known for its gastronomic heritage, which includes such glories as Bolognese sauce, mortadella, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Modena balsamic vinegar. Like Puglia and Sicily, little of Emilia-Romagna’s vast surface of grapevines ends up as estate-bottled wine, and many of those are intended to play second fiddle to the region’s rich cuisine. But varieties such as Lambrusco, in the hands of growers who limit yields and employ thoughtful artisan practices in the cellar, can achieve an irresistible combination of distinctiveness and refreshment.