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.
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