There is no denying that Modena's traditional cuisine is rather rich, but local food-lovers swear by the digestive properties of another product typical of the zone: lambrusco, said to be the only wine capable of washing down the highly flavoured, fatty foods in which Modena specialises. In 1888 a local poet sang the praises of its ruby-red colour, fragrance of violets and sparkling good cheer. On 1 May 1970 the President of the Republic of Italy issued a decree awarding "doc" status to Lambrusco di Sorbara, Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce and Lambrusco Graspa Rossa di Castelvetro wines. A Consortium (Consorzio Tutela del Lambrusco) applies strict control to assure that only grapes from the approved production areas are used, and in the 1980s lambrusco enjoyed a real boom, with outstanding success in the United States and Canada.