Emilia-Romagna Food Valley Tour:
Tasting Parmigiano Reggiano and Balsamic Vinegar Makers
Step into the heart of the Food Valley of Italy for a half-day tour full of indulgence to discover how Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, aged Balsamic vinegar of Modena and various cured meats like prosciutto and culatello are made. Emilia-Romagna is world famous for its incredible regional cuisine like tortellini, lasagna and ragu’ and these a few of the regions 40+ DOP ingredients that make these world class dishes possible.
From Bologna, rise and shine to visit a handful of family-owned artisan producers in the nearby “food valley” on this gourmet balsamic vinegar and parmesan cheese food tour. Taste exceptional Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and aged Modena balsamic vinegar and the people who make them, while peeking behind-the-scenes to learn the history and ancient methods used to make these culinary greats. For true foodies, there is also the option of adding a third stop to a traditional DOP Prosciutto maker.
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What to expect on your half-day food balsamic vinegar and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese tour
● Friendly, knowledgeable English/Italian bilingual guide to explain all the nooks and crannies of these foods
● 4-5 hour morning tour with return to your departure city by 12pm/1pm (in time for lunch, if you have space!)
● Available in/out Bologna/Parma/Modena with guided explanations of the territory along the way
● Tour 2 family-owned, small-scale artisanal food producers hard to find on your own selected by certified Italian sommelier and food writer, Coral Sisk
● Optional third stop at a local prosciutto maker.
Stop 1: Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Maker
Known as the King of Cheeses, Parmigiano Reggiano was first produced by Benedictine and Cistercian monks a thousand years ago. On this stop, you’ll visit a caseificio (dairy) to discover the cheesemaking process from milk to wheel and meeting the cheese makers while partaking in a decadent cheese flight including fresh ricotta and various ages of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese paired locally produced wines and jams.
Stop 2: Family-run Modena Balsamic Vinegar house
In Emilia Romagna, Modena aged balsamic vinegar has been prized like culinary gold for centuries. On this stop, you’ll meet a family of producers at an acetaia (vinegar cellar), learn what separates Modena’s real-deal balsamic from the supermarket junk and taste true DOP traditional aged and IGP vinegars.
Guided tasting of several types of balsamic, along with education provided by the vinegar house purveyors plus gourmet snacks (i.e. prosciutto wrapped dried fruit and breads) topped with aged balsamic vinegar.
OPTIONAL: Stop 3: Prosciutto Factory with tasting
Pigs destined to become prosciutto and other yummy salumi like culatello have a diet enhanced by the milky whey leftover from Parmigiano Reggiano cheese production, for the signature nutty-sweet flavor that defines Italy’s most famous cured meats. On this stop, you’ll tour a prosciuttificio (prosciutto workshop) that has been run by the same family for generations, see the meticulous production process from salting to curing and taste a range of chef-level DOP prosciutto.
Duration: 4 hours for Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Balsamic maker tour only, 6 hours to include a Prosciutto maker.
Departure options: From Bologna, Modena or Parma
NB: There will be lots of small tastings and you might not be hungry for lunch after, but you may want to plan for a late lunch for something like a first course upon return to your departure base.
Inclusions: Guided experience, food maker tours including artisan local food tastings i.e. parmigiano reggiano cheese flight with personable, expert bilingual guides.
Not included in any quote: Travel insurance, extra hours, additional tastings and trip cancellation insurance.
REGARDING QUOTES LISTED- Your final quote may vary or be higher than general estimates listed depending on world conditions affecting overhead costs. Thank you for understanding!
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PRIVATE TOUR Cost: Please Inquire. Price per person based on 4pax starting at $315pp including accompanying expert guide, tour and all food tastings.
Final quote depends on group size, departure location and personalized requests.
PRIVATE TOUR Days/Time: Monday-Saturday, 8am (in order to catch cheese production in action!) additional departure times available if viewing cheese making is not a priority.
*Please click on "Tour Pricing & Schedule" to expand and view Private pricing details.
