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Parmigiano Reggiano Factory Tour Overview
Attention all cheese lovers! If you’re planning a trip to Italy, I have a cheese tour (and more!) that you simply cannot pass up. You’ll get three tours in one: a Parmigiano Reggiano factory, a winery (including a tasting), and finally, an old acetaia, a local balsamic vinegar producer. This all-day tour with Delicious Bologna in Emilia-Romagna will easily be one of your favorite memories of your entire trip. It certainly was for me!
Getting to the Meeting Point
The tour starts at 7 am sharp in Bologna, and you can arrange with Mattia where the pickup point will be. The driver typically picks you up from where you’re staying or a central meeting point. We had a group of 7 plus a driver and tour guide in a comfortable van.
The Experience
The experience begins with a coffee and pastry before hitting the road to the first stop just outside of Modena: a Parmigiano Reggiano factory. On the way, we were given a lot of background information on what makes Parmigiano Reggiano get its name and certification as a DOP product.
But don't just take it from me. Your guide will give you all the information that you need. We had Riccardo as our guide and his enthusiasm did NOT disappoint.
Parmigiano Reggiano Factory Tour and Tasting
We visited Azienda Agricola Moscattini, a family-run farm that produces Parmigiano Reggiano, ricotta, milk, balsamic vinegar, wine, and various meats. We witnessed the entire production process and learned exactly how much care and effort goes into creating a wheel of certified Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. And it’s a LOT. I have a new appreciation for how special it is and why Italians are so proud of it.
After touring the factory and farm, a tasting was prepared, including sweet ricotta, various ages of Parmigiano Reggiano, salami, balsamic vinegar, and my new favorite…Lambrusco wine! I may or may not have left there with three wedges of parmigiano of various ages.
Winery Tour and Tasting
The second stop on our tour was a special winery, Azienda Agricola Fedrizzi Alessandro. This stunning winery in the Bologna hills is run by one of the youngest winemakers in Italy. After a tour of the vineyards, it was time to sit down and sample a few of the wines.
We began with a double-fermented sparkling white wine, followed by a still white and a red wine. All were delicious and accompanied by small sandwiches with mortadella, salami, and prosciutto. This was a great time for the group to relax, chat, eat, and enjoy the wine.
Balsamic Vinegar Tour and Tasting
Once the group was pleasantly full from the wine tasting, it was time for our third and final stop: an acetaia, or balsamic vinegar cellar. Acetaia dei Bago is family-run and we were lucky enough to meet both Patrizia and her daughter. Here, we learned the process for making balsamic vinegar, which is sometimes referred to as the “black gold of Modena”. We tried it on various types of food, including ice cream!
If you enjoy balsamic vinegar, you will LOVE this part of the tour and you can even buy some to take home with you.
Takeaway
The entire tour with Delicious Bologna was above and beyond all of my expectations. From the Parmigiano Reggiano factory to the winery and acetaia, it was a perfect way to spend a day in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. The owner of Delicious Bologna, Mattia, has truly curated a fantastic experience. It's no surprise that his food tour was rated Best of the Best on Trip Advisor for 2022.
If you’re planning a trip, I highly recommend adding this to your itinerary. You won’t be disappointed!
Looking for more tours in Bologna? Delicious Bologna also has a fantastic walking food tour.
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