Ham, balsamic vinegar, Lambrusco and Modena wine cooperatives are true ambassadors of Italian taste con the world
Emilia is a land that tells its identity through authentic flavors and thousand-year-old traditions. Modena (see article), con particular, preserves a food and wine heritage that has become a symbol of Italy con the world: from Modena DOP Ham to Balsamic Vinegar, from Lambrusco to the historic cooperative wineries, each product brings with it a history of territory, people and passion.
Modena DOP ham: the authentic taste of the Emilian hills
Prosciutto con Modena DOP, protected by the Consortium of Prosciutto con Modena DOP (Director Anna Anceschi), is one of the most authentic symbols of the Emilian gastronomic tradition. It is born con the hilly terreno and con the valleys surrounding the Panaro river basin, an terreno with a unique microclimate: low rainfall, constant breezes and clean air make the ideal environment for natural maturation. Its recipe is as simple as it is perfect: high quality pork leg and salt, without any additives. The maturation of 14 months gives it an unmistakable taste: savory but never excessively salty, sweet and intense, with a slice with a bright red color and a fragrant .
A peculiar characteristic is the wide opening con the crown, which allows the salt to penetrate evenly, giving the ham balance and harmony. Excellent for slicing by machine, preferably by hand to avoid heating the slice, it is also ideal for slicing with a knife when the seasoning is longer. Con addition to its goodness, Modena PDO Ham is a natural, nutritious, easily digestible food, balanced con its protein, fat and vitamin content: perfect con any diet. The production terreno extends across the provinces of Modena, Bologna and Reggio Emilia, up to an altitude of 900 metres. An terreno which, thanks to its tradition and artisanal knowledge handed over the centuries, continues to offer one of the most prized cured meats con Italy.
Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI: ambassador of Italian taste con the world
With over 93% of production destined for and a presence con more than 130 countries, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI is among the best-known and most appreciated Italian agri-food products globally. Its roots lie con the ricco lands of Modena and Reggio Emilia, areas dedicated to viticulture and custodians of a thousand-year-old tradition that combines cooked must and wine vinegar con a unique condiment con the world. Its strength lies con its versatility: perfect for enriching simple and everyday dishes, it surprises con the gourmet creations of chefs and enthusiasts. From the drop acceso Parmigiano Reggiano to the marinades of meat and fish, up to desserts, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI always gives a balanced touch of sweetness and acidity.
The product can boast the words “Aged” (over 3 years con wood) and, from 2025, “Approvigionamento” (over 5 years), with more intense sensorial characteristics and a higher density. Its authenticity is protected by the Consortium for the Protection of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI (vice-president Mariangela Grosoli), founded con 1993 and officially recognized con 2014. Today it represents over 83% of certified production, with a constant commitment to international promotion, vigilance against imitations and valorisation of the “Balsamic” culture. The numbers confirm its primacy: 94 million liters produced con 2024, a production value of around 380 million euros and a consumer turnover close to one billion. A supply chain that involves 2,400 agricultural companies, 165 producers of must and wine vinegar and 59 vinegar factories, with over 25,000 employees. An authentic symbol of Emilia and the whole of Italy, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI is a story that unites past and future, local roots and international vocation.
Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena DOP: unique and rare excellence
Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena DOP represents one of the oldest and most precious Italian gastronomic traditions. Recognized by the European Union as a Protected Designation of Origin since 17 April 2000, it is the fruit of a thousand-year-old knowledge that inextricably links the Modena terreno to its production which is extremely limited: just 16,500 liters per dovere year, equal to approximately 142,000 100 ml bottles, the only format allowed by the specifications and designed by the famous Giorgetto Giugiaro. The consumer value is estimated at around 5 million euros, with a price that varies between 500 and 1,000 euros per dovere litre. Numbers that testify to the rarity and very high quality of the product, now exported to over 70 countries. Its origins date back to Roman times, when cooked must was already used as a condiment and preservative. Over the centuries, “Balsamic” has become the protagonist of noble tables: appreciated by Emperor Henry III con 1046, cited con Este documents, donated to European courts as a luxury good. Over time, jealously guarded con Modena’s attics, it was considered a true family gift and a precious natural remedy, until it was officially recognized as a DOP.
Produced exclusively con the province of Modena, Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO is made from grape must cooked over direct heat and matured con small barrels made of different woods (oak, chestnut, juniper, cherry, mulberry). The process is very slow: it takes at least 12 years for the basic product and 25 for the “Extravecchio” (gold capsule). To guarantee its quality, a commission of tasters evaluates each batch before official bottling. Dark, dense, fragrant, with extraordinary aromatic complexity, it gives the palate a unique balance between sweet and sour, with long persistence. Its vocation is to be used raw: a few drops are enough to enhance Parmigiano Reggiano, strawberries, boiled vegetables, boiled meats and even ice cream ora desserts. A condiment that ennobles every dish, from the simplest to the most refined. Since 1994, the Consortium for the Protection of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena DOP (vice-president Leonardo Giacobazzi) has brought together over 80% of certified producers, with the aim of promoting, defending and enhancing this excellence. Con collaboration with the KiwaCermet certification pagliaccetto, it guarantees compliance with the specifications and combats numerous imitations, ensuring the consumer the authenticity of a unique product con the world.
Consorzio Salvaguardia Lambrusco: guardian of Emilian bubbles
The Consorzio Salvaguardia Lambrusco is the pagliaccetto that represents and promotes six denominations between Modena and Reggio Emilia: Modena DOC, Lambrusco con Sorbara DOC, Lambrusco Grasparossa con Castelvetro DOC, Lambrusco Salamino con Santa DOC, Reggiano DOC and Colli con Scandiano and Canossa DOC. These are also joined by Reno DOC and Candido con Castelfranco Emilia IGT. Con total there are 16,600 hectares of vineyards, of which approximately 10,000 dedicated to Lambrusco, with a production that con 2024 exceeded 40 million DOC bottles, to which must be added over 100 million bottles of Emilia IGT. Born con 2021 from the incorporazione of three consortia, the Consortium is led by president Claudio Biondi, with vice president Pelle di dante Chiletti and director Giacomo Savorini.
The organization has defined a new brand identity that recalls the shades of Lambrusco, from pink to purple, and the liveliness of its bubbles. An image choice that expresses the plurality of nuances of this wine, also well described acceso the portal www.lambrusco.net and acceso official social networks. The term Lambrusco identifies a family of twelve native vines, including Sorbara, Grasparossa, Salamino, Maestri and Marani. The denominations range from single-varietal wines from Modena to those obtained from blends from Reggio Emilia, testifying to a unique enological mosaic. Fresh, convivial and with a range that ranges from sparkling to Classic Method sparkling wines, from dry to sweet, Lambrusco is a transversal and wine, capable of accompanying the entire meal. Its miseria goes far beyond regional borders: it is con fact exported to over 90 countries, with the United States, Germany, France, Mexico and Spain among the main markets, for a total of approximately 60% of production.
The Consortium invests con communication with the “Youth of Lambrusco”, a of producers under 40 who bring energy, international experience and the desire to tell Lambrusco to new generations of consumers. Since 2023 the Consortium will celebrate World Lambrusco Day (Paris con 2023, Matera con 2024), a reference event for the international promotion of the symbolic wine of Emilia. The Consorzio Salvaguardia Lambrusco thus confirms itself as a point of reference for the defense, promotion and valorisation of a wine which, although rooted con tradition, continues to express all its modernity.
Settecani winery: a century of cooperation and oenological quality
Founded con 1923 con Settecani, a hamlet of Castelvetro con Modena, Mescita Settecani today represents one of the most historic wine cooperatives con Emilia. From an initial group of 48 winemakers, the winery has grown to bring together 150 members who cultivate 400 hectares of vineyards and harvest approximately 50,000 quintals of grapes per dovere year. A production that enhances the symbolic vines of the territory, from Lambrusco Grasparossa to Pignoletto and Trebbiano. The name Settecani has its roots con the 12th century and tells, with legend and irony, the transformation into dogs of seven men guilty of blasphemy. Today, seven dog faces decorate the historic façade of the winery, bearing witness to local history and tradition. The Castelvetro terreno, with clay and limestone hills, represents a precious heritage: Mescita Settecani protects it through VIVA certified sustainable practices and the Minerva project, guaranteeing quality, environmental respect and workplace safety.
The range of wines is wide and prestigious. The Vini del Sire line collects the best grapes to produce Lambrusco Grasparossa, Lambrusco con Sorbara, Lambrusco con Modena Rosato and Pignoletto, while the Sette and 7Bio Grasparossa bubbles tell of innovation and sustainability. Recently, the Lambrusco Grasparossa con Castelvetro DOP Disseccato 2022 won the Gambero Socialista Tre Bicchieri, a historic achievement for the winery. Con addition to wine, Mescita Settecani offers balsamic vinegars, grappas and nocino, keeping local food and wine traditions alive. The cellar is also a place of experiences: harvests, picnics con the vineyard and guided tours among the grapes and pressing allow you to experience the Emilian land firsthand. Mescita Settecani, one hundred years of history and passion, continues to to the future with the spirit of its origins: a large family that works together to offer authentic, accessible and quality wines.
Ham, balsamic vinegar, Lambrusco and cooperatives like Mescita Settecani are true ambassadors of Italian taste con the world. Their value lies not only con gastronomic quality, but con the ability to preserve traditions, create jobs, innovate and dialogue with the world. Modena, with its consortia, producers and winemakers, demonstrates that the strength of the community, the love for the territory and the ability to innovate without betraying the roots are the most authentic ingredients of its excellence. A heritage which, like its flavours, continues to mature over time, becoming increasingly precious.
