Christmas time. At MdV, it means Anolini in Barricaia

On the gentle slopes of the Parma Hills, where vineyards have been in dialogue with the land for centuries and the landscape becomes culture, Monte delle Vigne renewed its most eagerly awaited winter tradition: “Anolini in Barricaia,” now naturally in its fourth edition.

Not just a tasting, but the true beginning of the Christmas festivities for all of us at Monte delle Vigne: a collective events open to our agents, restaurateurs, and the general public—especially the new generation of neo-gourmets who know how to recognize contemporary gestures within tradition. The winery’s barrel cellar was transformed into a convivial, intimate lounge scented with wood, where time seemed to slow down to make room for listening and taste.

The true protagonists were, first and foremost, the wines of Monte delle Vigne: glasses that tell the story of the territory with precision and restraint, guiding visitors through a sensory journey defined by balance, freshness, and depth. Alongside them, not merely a tasting but a declaration of identity: 30-month-aged Parmigiano Reggiano, served with fig and blueberry preserves and honey—a sweet counterpoint that enhanced its complexity without ever overpowering it.

The heart of the event remains etched in the minds—and all five senses—of everyone who took part: anolini in capon broth, prepared with expert hands by chef Danilo Bottazzi, brought back the authentic taste of the festive season in Emilia, the kind that warms and reassures, enriched by a selection of cured meats that spoke the universal language of artisanal quality. An honest cuisine, free of frills, capable of moving precisely because it stays true to itself. Coordinating the tasting, with his customary elegance and expertise, was Mauro Fontana of Bar Centrale di Collecchio—a sensitive and rigorous interpreter, able to connect wines, dishes, and people, crafting a narrative that flowed naturally and was never didactic.

But we are nearing the end of our story, and we have yet to mention the three architects of this wonderful day—an event that went beyond the tasting of our excellences thanks to the consistently exceptional contribution of “the heart and lungs of Monte delle Vigne”: Gabriele and Clara, in charge of the wine shop and hospitality, supported by the new addition Rebecca in her role as set designer and photographer. The idea of the fire brazier, lit from morning until late evening to welcome visitors, was the inspired touch of those who are always eager to renew and reinvent themselves.

“Anolini in Barricaia” has by now become a contemporary ritual—an homage to the Parma area and its ability to welcome, to tell its own story without superstructures, yet with pride. At Monte delle Vigne, once again, taste was transformed into culture and conviviality.