Secrets of Parmigiano Reggiano and Balsamic Vinegar in Reggio Emilia

Overview

This guided excursion reveals the stages of Parmigiano Reggiano production, from animal husbandry and milk production to the transformation in the dairy. You will observe the cooking and forming of the cheese wheels, followed by the salting process and a visit to the vast ageing cellar where thousands of wheels are stored. The itinerary includes a visit to the farm to meet newborn calves. Gastronomically, you will taste cheeses aged 12, 24, and 36 months, Parma ham, coppa, local salami, and a glass of Lambrusco DOC wine. The visit continues with a tasting of balsamic vinegar aged 8, 15, and 30 years, as well as vanilla ice cream with balsamic vinegar. The experience also includes a cappuccino, a slice of sweet tart, and a slice of savoury cake. Two options are available: a visit without transport, where you reach the meeting point independently, and a minivan transport option including pick-up and return to the station.

Itinerary

1. Cavriago

   We’ll go into the cheese factory during milk processing and we'll witness in cooking and making of cheese wheels. We’ll see then the process of salting and maturing up to enter the huge “caveau”, where thousands of cheese wheels are guarded and laid out in long rows in the silent maturation rooms and where the scent of cheese will smell so nice and exciting that we won’t be able to resist till the final tasting of cheese and local typical products. I will give you a lab coat and a cap for access to the production area. I’ll bring you along a complete tour to discover all the steps of Parmigiano Reggiano’s production.

   · 2 h

2. Farm with cows milked and newborn calves. We’ll see the places, where the animals are bred and where the milk is mold. If we are lucky we will see a newborn calf it often happens in the morning.

   · 30 min

3. An ancient farm transformed into a farmhouse where we will have a coffee break in the morning as soon as we arrive and at the end of the tour we will do the tasting of cheeses aged 12, 24, and 36 months with typical Emilian salami and a glass of Lambrusco DOC wine and 3 aged balsamic vinegar of 8 and 15 and 30 years.

   · 1 h· Admission included

4. Albinea

   tour of the ancient vinegar factory and tasting of balsamic vinegar

   · 1 h

How to use your ticket

To have the transfer from the train station included it is mandatory to contact me by whatsapp or email immediately after booking, and wait for my confirmation. Do not book the train before receiving my information and confirmation. +393386622501 only whatsapp studioimagine.eu@gmsil.com

Meeting point

What to know before you go

• Public transport is available nearby.
• The activity is suitable for all fitness levels.
• Participants must be at least 12 years old.
• Not recommended for travellers with reduced mobility.
• The group is limited to a maximum of 8 participants.
• Confirmation is immediate, except for bookings made less than 12 hours before departure.

Travelers

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation for a full refund at least 24 hours before departure.

• No refund is possible for cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure.

Who is it for?

• Travellers aged 12 and over
• Food enthusiasts and lovers of local produce
• People able to move without assistance

What makes it different

• Comprehensive tasting: cheeses (3 ageing periods), balsamic vinegars (3 ages), cured meats, and wine
• Access to production areas with provided hygiene equipment
• Personalised transfer option from the station

Frequently asked questions

Reviews

Product code: 458476P1

Activity offered by Claudio Bonoretti via Viator.