FICO Eataly World Bologna is the largest agri-food park in the world. A brilliant idea of Oscar Farinetti, developed to show in 20.000 m2 all the good things that Italy can offer. A huge farm with 2-hectare fields and cattle-sheds, 40 companies producing the very best Italian food, 45 eating facilities including two starred restaurants, bistros and street-food kiosks. Educational events for people aged from 0 to 110 and 4.000 m2 conference venues.
An amazing place to visit at least once in a lifetime. Inside the park you can walk or bike, with the Ambasciatori del Gusto, taste ambassadors, there to inform you about the facilities and organise guided tours. A wonderful idea – maybe the only drawback is that of having a too commercial approach, which however is justified by the need of covering costs and generating income for investors.
Here Wine Princess had the opportunity to taste quality foods and some really unmissable pairings!
The FICO wine area is educational and amusing. The wine house is mainly about local vines, in Italy there are 1200 of them, amazing!
Italian pride: when it comes to good food and excellent wines we are the world leaders!
At FICO you can also attend workshops on how milk is transformed into cheeses like Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano … an amusing educational experience where you can learn how to recognise those excellent products produced only in Italy.
Wine Princess suggests
The nicest tasting of the tour was in Emilia Romagna, with three Slow Food certified cold cooked meats and salami: culatello, spalla cruda and mariola di salame, paired with Moden Blanc of Cleto Chiarli … awesome! Charmat method with Chardonnay and Grechetto Gentile grapes, fine and fruity, fresh enough to balance the rich taste of the cold cuts. Excellent froth with a smooth aftertaste. Herby and fruity notes in the nose.
Who should drink it: Those who love simple but rewarding Charmat method sparkling wines.
When to drink it: As an aperitif, paired with cheese and cold cuts
A wonderful opportunity: A trip to Emilia Romagna to discover this wonderful land and its excellent wine and food.
Visiting FICO for a gourmet is just like going to an amusement park for a child. May I say that … FICO is really “fico” (= cool! 😉
God save Oscar Farinetti!