‘Discover the Origin’ is a new three year campaign, led by the European Union, Italy, France and Portugal, designed to raise awareness around five key European products:
· Parma Ham
· Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
· Burgundy
· Port
· Douro Valley wines
These products all carry a guarantee of their provenance and quality: the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for Parma Ham and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, AOC for Burgundy wines and DOC for Port and Douro Valley wines. These guarantees are defined in European Union law to protect the names of regional foods, so if you see these labels on any food or drink products you can be sure of their authenticity and quality.
Certainly 3 of these products are regulars in my kitchen: Parma Ham (a favourite of Rob’s, in particular), Parmigiano-Reggiano (Parmesan) cheese and Port, the latter 2 being must-haves for me as I use them so regularly in cooking (and I do enjoy the odd tipple of Port, especially when the weather turns colder!).
A few years ago I learned that only Parmesan cheese labelled as Parmigiano-Reggiano is true Parmesan cheese, the others being imitations, and so ever since I’ve been sure to look out for this label. And this is precisely what this campaign is helping to highlight, not only for Parmesan cheese but for the other products too.
I was recently sent some samples of the products and have to say the quality really shines through. The wines were quite delicious and I was particularly taken with a bottle of Roy Marc Clos Prieur, from a villiage family vineyard in Côte de Nuits.
‘Discover the Origin’ has teamed up with ‘A Slice of Cherry Pie’ to offer you the chance to win an incredible hamper containing these products. The hamper includes top quality Port, a bottle of Burgundy, 250g of the best Parmigiano-Regianno cheese, a packet of mouth-watering Parma Ham, and a recipe book. To be in with a chance of winning just answer this simple question:
Q: What does PDO stand for?
Email your answer, along with your name, location and web site address (if applicable) to cherrypiecompetition@yahoo.co.uk by 8th November and leave me a comment to let me know you’ve entered so that I don’t miss any because of spam filters, etc. Open to UK residents only.
For more information about the campaign visit www.discovertheorigin.co.uk.
Photographs courtesy of ‘Discover the Origin’.
Hi Julia, a mouthwatering entry as usual! Love the photo's.
Just to let you know I've entered the competition…fingers crossed!!
best wishes
Rachel
I just entered the competition too – looks absolutely yummy!
Competition entry for me!
I entered too! Love the pictures!
I entered too…..you've made me so hungry!!
Entry made!
thanks for another great competition.
Just emailed! Thank you for the fab competition – I have such a weakness for port too… Definitely what Christmas is all about!
I've entered too!!
I enjoyed the article, and of course entered the competition.
Thanks for the info that only Parmesan cheese labelled as Parmigiano-Reggiano is true Parmesan cheese, just checked mine and it is…phew!
I have just entered
I can't enter the contest as I'm from Port Country…
Just wanted to add how delighted I am to see one of our Products being hampered with such distinguished pairs :).
Congratulations on the Idea and good luck to all! Parabéns!!!
Teresa
What a wonderful prize and such a good campaign.
I've entered the competition too. How could anyone resist?!
Hi Julia,
just sent the e-mail!
Thanks
Emily
Hi Julia,
I've entered too!
Thanks
Hannah
Hi Julia, I was interested to read the "discovery of origins". Even with an innocent thing such as food there is a lot of copying and imitating going on out there, not to mention plain stealing. Sad but true.
I'm in!
Great post. Had to enter the competition.
I have entered. Vanessa
My mouth's watering! I've emailed you my entry…Debbie