TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Emilian Beverage Types
Nocino is an Italian liqueur that is prepared with a maceration of unripe green walnuts in a combination of alcohol and sugar, with the occasional addition of spices, predominantly cinnamon and cloves. The process results in a dark, almost syrupy drink, with a slightly bitter, strong walnut flavor.
Though it is found throughout the country and the Swiss Ticino canton, the liqueur is traditionally associated with Emilia-Romagna, where it is usually prepared on the Festa di San Giovanni, celebrated on June 24th. Nowadays, nocino is frequently factory produced, though the homemade varieties are still held in high regard.
VARIATIONS OF Nocino
Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine hailing from the Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy region of Italy, particularly from areas around Modena, Reggio Emilia and Mantua. This wine is made from several varieties of the Lambrusco grape, each contributing different characteristics to the final product.
Lambrusco wines are typically light and frothy, with a range of sweetness levels from dry (secco) to sweet (dolce). They exhibit a vibrant ruby-red color and often have a delightful effervescence due to their natural sparkle. The aromatic profile of Lambrusco includes notes of red berries, cherries, and sometimes floral hints like violets.
VARIATIONS OF Lambrusco
This high-quality Lambrusco wine is produced from a namesake grape variety, grown in vicinity of Modena and the village of Sorbara. The region has been awarded DOC in 1970 and has been known to produce fragrant, red and rosé sparkling wines.
They can vary in sweetness but the second fermentation must take place in the bottles or autoclaves. The wines are characterized by their fruity, floral notes, and because of their pronounced acidity, they pair well with hearty dishes, such as grilled or braised meat, rich meat or cheese based sauces, and strong, well-aged cheese varieties.
Montenegro is a popular Italian liqueur and a type of amaro that has been produced in Bologna since 1885. It is made with 40 botanicals sourced from four continents, and it remains one of the most popular and best-selling amari in Italy.
The production process is complex and includes several techniques, and though the exact botanical blend remains secret, some of the ingredients include oranges, wormwood, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The liqueur is amber-colored, with a rich, bittersweet flavor.
It has intense aromas reminiscent of citrus, herbs, and spices, along with licorice and chocolate nuances. Montenegro works best as a pre- or post-dinner aperitif. It can be incorporated into cocktails and long drinks.
Albana is a white wine grape variety predominantly grown in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, particularly around the town of Bertinoro. Known for producing Italy's first DOCG white wine, Albana is versatile and can be made into a range of styles, including dry, sweet, and passito (a dessert wine made from dried grapes).
Albana wines are typically golden yellow in color and possess a rich aromatic profile, featuring notes of ripe stone fruits such as apricot and peach, alongside floral hints of acacia and hawthorn. Some expressions also exhibit a subtle nuttiness and honeyed character.
VARIATIONS OF Albana
Nocello is an Italian amber-colored liqueur that is flavored with walnuts and hazelnuts. The drink is produced in the province of Modena of Emilia Romagna—a region well-known for the tradition of producing nut-flavored liqueurs. This aromatic and complex drink is subtly sweet with aromas and flavors that are reminiscent of nuts, vanilla, and chocolate, as well as a subtly bitter finish.
Interestingly, each bottle comes with a cork stopper that has a walnut imitation attached to it. Nocello can be enjoyed as a digestif, served neat or on the rocks, but it works well as an ingredient in coffee, cocktails, and mixed drinks. It can also be used as a flavoring in desserts.
Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro is a wine appellation for red and rosé semi-sparkling (frizzante) wines that are made with Lambrusco Grasparossa variety. The appellation is located in the province of Modena, and apart from frizzante, it also comes in sparkling (spumante) version.
These wines are typically more tannic and full-bodied than other Lambrusco styles, and the wineries often include more acidic grapes (maximum of 15%) to add freshness. These fruity wines make a great aperitif, but they also go well with appetizers, pasta dishes, pastries, and desserts.
Produced in the Emilia-Romagna region, these white wines come in various styles which are all made with Albana as the principal grape variety. It holds the distinction of being Italy's first white wine to receive the Controlled and Guaranteed Denomination of Origin (DOCG) status, which it achieved in 1987.
The classic dry version is usually light-bodied with typical floral and fruity notes of citrus, yellow fruit, apricots, acacia, or honey. Because of their good-acidity and well-structured tannins, the wines are best paired with seafood, especially crustaceans or fish soups, but it can also go well with baked pasta, vegetable-based dishes, chicken, or lighter game dishes.
As the name suggests, Colli Bolognesi Classico Pignoletto is an Italian appellation designated for the production of dry white wines with Pignoletto as the principal grape variety. The appellation is mostly situated in the province of Bologna, with only a small part in the province of Modena.
These aromatic wines typically have fruity and floral notes reminiscent of pineapples, peaches, jasmine, wisteria, and chamomile. They also may have subtle herbaceous and spicy notes. It is best to pair them with appetizers, including charcuterie or mild cheese varieties, local specialties, especially pasta, vegetable courses, or fish-based dishes.
Gutturnio is a distinguished red wine from the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, produced in the hilly areas south of Piacenza. It is a Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) wine, highlighting its quality and regional importance. Gutturnio is a blend of Barbera (55–70%), which provides structure and acidity, and Croatina (locally known as Bonarda, 30–45%), which adds softness and fruity aromas.
The wine is crafted in various styles, including frizzante (semi-sparkling and fresh), superiore (still and complex, with a minimum alcohol content of 12.5%), and riserva (aged for at least 24 months, including six months in oak barrels). The name "Gutturnio" is derived from the gutturnium, a Roman silver jug used for serving wine, underscoring the area's ancient winemaking heritage that dates back to 2000 BC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Emilian Beverage Producers
Romagna Terre is an Italian cheese producer located in the Emilia-Romagna region. The company specializes in the production of traditional Italian cheeses, including Parmigiano Reggiano. It employs artisanal methods to ensure the high quality of its products.
Romagna Terre sources its milk from local farms, adhering to strict quality control standards.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2022, 2021
World Cheese Awards - Super Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Romagna Terre Cheeses
DiBaldo Spirits is an Italian company founded by master perfumer and alchemist Baldo Baldinini, who was appointed Master of Arts and Crafts in October 2020. The company specializes in creating unique "Essenze," which are spirits and soft drinks designed to provide an unparalleled tasting experience by blending the art of perfumery with traditional distillation techniques.
The production process at DiBaldo emphasizes the use of meticulously selected raw materials, including precious herbs and essences typically reserved for perfumery. This approach results in products with aromatic depth, featuring top, heart, and base notes that unfold during the tasting experience, much like a fine fragrance.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
NYWSC - New York World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2022
BEST Dibaldo Spirits Spirits
AWARDS
World Beer Awards - Gold
2023
World Beer Awards - Country Winner
2023
BEST Brewine Leopoldina Beers
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2019
World Liqueur Awards - Country Winner
2024
BEST Casoni Fabbricazione Liquori Liqueurs
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2022
BEST Cantine Ceci SPA Wines
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2022
BEST Azienda Agricola Pratesi Wines
AWARDS
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2022
BEST TERRE ROSSE VALLANIA Wines
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2022
BEST Ventiventi - Società Agricola Il Borghetto di Razzaboni Wines
AWARDS
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2021
BEST Az.agr. Santa Giustina S.r.l.- Soc.agr. Wines
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Emilian Beverages
AWARDS
World Beer Awards - Gold
2023
World Beer Awards - Country Winner
2023
Ag 107,86 Dry Gin is a premium gin crafted by DiBALDO Spirits, embodying the essence of a classic dry gin through the distinctive style of master perfumer Baldo Baldinini. This gin is meticulously produced by blending high-quality distillates of select botanicals and essences, many sourced from the perfumery industry, ensuring a unique aromatic profile.
This structured aromatic composition offers a sensory experience that evolves on the palate, reflecting DiBALDO's philosophy of creating "perfumes to wear on the palate." For an optimal tasting experience, it is recommended to enjoy Ag 107,86 chilled, either neat or mixed.
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2023
Un Bitter is an artisanal wine-based bitter aperitif crafted by DiBALDO Spirits. This unique aperitivo is produced using white wine from Emilia-Romagna, combined with an infusion of over 25 carefully selected herbs and spices, resulting in a harmonious balance between bitterness and the enveloping qualities of vermouth.
For a classic Americano, it is recommended to pair Un Bitter with 721 Vermouth Rosso, using plenty of ice to allow the essences to fully express their aromatic accords. The concentration of Un Bitter ensures that with 3-4 cl of each, one can achieve a complete and balanced Americano.
AWARDS
London Spirits Competition - Gold
2024
AWARDS
World Liqueur Awards - Country Winner
2024
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2022
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2022
AWARDS
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2022
AWARDS
Concours Mondial de Bruxelles - Grande Médaille d'or
2022
AWARDS
Frankfurt International Trophy - Grand Gold
2021
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