Italy: Leader in Quality Food and Wine
Italian Food = Quality & Uniqueness
Local Aromas recently attended the presentation of the 14th Report on Registered Italian Geographical Indication products (PDO, PGI, TSG) by Ismea Qualivita. And, once again, it’s official that Italy in the world leader in quality food and wine.
As of 31 December 2016, we have 814 certified products, of which there are 291 foods and 523 wines. Every single one of Italy’s 20 regions has a certified Geographical Indication product. What an amazing country!
Genuine Made in Italy products can be identified through the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO or DOP in Italian), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI or IGP in Italian) and Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG or STG in Italian) EU logos.
Certified Italian Foods
Italy has 291 certified foods and the #1 region is Emilia Romagna with 45 PDO and PGI products. Parma, Modena and Reggio nell’Emilia represent Italy’s Food Valley with important products such as Parmigiano Reggiano PDO, Prosciutto di Parma PDO, and Modena Balsamic Vinegar PGI. At 2nd and 3rd places are the regions of Veneto (38 PDO and PGI products) and Lombardia (36PDO and PGI products).
Certified Italian Wines
There are 523 certified wines in Italy. 56% of Italy’s PDO certified wines are produced in the regions of Veneto, Piemonte, and Tuscany. The territories of Treviso and Verona – both in Veneto – hold the first 2 positions due to the major success of their Prosecco PDO. Siena follows 3rd place with Chianti PDO wines.
A lifetime is not enough to eat and drink all this country has to offer, but with such high levels of quality and uniqueness, it’s definitely worth starting as soon as possible! Remember to always go local. We will never stress this enough. There is no such thing as Italian food. It’s the regional local products that make our country a leader in quality food and wine.
