This post is a part of the 2015 New Beer Every Day Beer Diary Challenge, #ottbeerdiary. Over the course of 2015, I will be trying a new beer every day. Please read the background in the link above, and enjoy reading about the most recently tasted beers below. If you’d like to join the challenge as well, let me know in the comments below, and be sure to check out Grown-up Travel Guide and his #grownupbeerdiary, where Andy Higgs came up with the diary format in use below. You can catch up on all of our posts as part of the challenge under the tag ottbeerdiary.
Day 177: June 26, 2015
Diary entry:
We are currently in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy for this year’s Blogville project. We’ll be staying in Bologna, Rimini, and Reggio Emilia over the next two weeks, sampling the local foods, beers, and wines of Emilia Romagna. Follow along with the hashtags #Blogville, #inEmiliaRomagna, and #ViaEmilia.
Today was a day of exploration, taking in a great mix of the culinary delights of Reggio Emilia.
Our first stop in the morning was to Consorzio “Bibbiano la Culla”, to the Antica Fattoria Scalabrini, a local producer of Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese. We had the opportunity to watch the entire process of making a daily batch of this incredible cheese, from the initial blending, through the shaping and aging process. This culminated in the opportunity to watch the opening of a wheel, a very elaborate process. Trying shards of Parmigiano Reggiano, fresh from the core of the wheel, moments after opening…that’s an experience!
After we had our fill of fresh Parmigiano Reggiano, it was off to the next traditional product, balsamic vinegar. We visited Acetaia Picci, a family-run producer, who gave us a tour of his vineyard and production facility, taking us through the process of maturing this liquid gold. We were also provided lunch at Acetaia Picci, which was quite a treat, especially considering the family ran a Michelin-starred restaurant while waiting for their balsamic line to mature!
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And in the evening, the main event! The awards ceremony for the 2015 Terre di Lambrusco Matilde di Canossa Wine Competition, held at the gorgeous Romolo Valli Municipal Theatre in the center of Reggio Emilia. We were invited to help present the Diplomas of Merit to the 90 award winning Lambrusco wines, from 45 different producers across the 12 DOP/IDP Lambrusco-producing regions in the classic production zone of Emilia Romagna.
This was followed by a chance to sample the award-winning wines, as well as a selection of local foods. I was quite impressed with the variety of Lambrusco wine styles. There was a wide range across the different growing regions, with wines ranging from very sweet to very sour to very dry. I didn’t sample anywhere near all 90, but I enjoyed almost everyone one I did sample.
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What a great day!
The Beer:
Name: Rrose Selavy
Style: Saison
Producer: Dada
Alcohol content: 7.0%
Bottle size: 0.75l
Purchased from: Bottiglieria San Giovanni in Reggio Emilia
A perfect summer terrace beer from Birrificio Dada out of Correggio in Reggio Emilia province. A fine, bitter funk. Very enjoyable.
Commercial Description: Beer orange reflections, the nose yellow fruit, pepper and bread crust, with a strong flavor but fresh, even on the yeast that gives a pleasant sour note. The finish is dry and pleasantly bitter with aftertaste dominated by herbaceous and peppery hops. Excellent with pasta dishes based on fish. Also try with traditional dishes from Emilia.
