Wine and Food of the Giro 2019 Stage 1: Bologna

Where are we? Bologna, the capital and largest city of Emilia-Romagna and home of one of the oldest universities in Europe. The local tourist site has a few suggestions to get started: Take the time to visit and discover  the city, wandering and 'getting lost' through arcades, squares and market stalls, where human relationships and urban charm are inseparable. Starting from Piazza Maggiore, enclosed by the beautiful ancient palaces of Accursio, Re Enzo, Podestà and  Notai and by the majesty of Basilica di San Petronio, you will then continue your visit discovering the many towers in Bologna, and not only the “two sisters” Garisenda and Asinelli. From the top of the Asinelli tower you can admire the red roofs and the hills around the city. Once back on the ground, you will be embraced by kilometers of arcades, the longest in the world, animated by the voices of many Italian and foreign students who attend the  oldest university in Europe. When visiting the museums you will appreciate all the history of Bologna from the Etruscan and Roman origins to its modern and contemporary artists' paintings and writings. 

Giro food suggestions: Bologna is the capital of good food par excellence: its fame started in Medieval university colleges and grew through trade in the modern age. Nowadays, strolling around the city’s alleyways, we breathe in the same cheerful atmosphere of the taverns of the past that safeguard the city’s culinary secrets. Markets and festivals also pass on traditional recipes because the culture of eating well has always been a distinctive trait of Bologna and its friendly inhabitants who love the pleasures of the table. Here are a few typical dishes: tagliatelle with Bolognaise ragù, tortellini, lasagne, mixed fried platter Bologna-style, breaded cutlet Bologna-style, rice tart.

The stage: Why not start with a time trial? Short, with a bike change even.
Due to some weather concerns, almost all of the big names are riding early in that day, except for Simon Yates. This is unusual, because normally in an opening day time, you would send your protected riders out at the end, taking advantage of feedback from teammates.
The early leader, to the surprise of very few, Roglic. 
The early standings:

Provisional standings | Classifica provvisoria
1) @rogla @JumboVismaRoad 12:54 +0:00
2) @vincenzonibali @Bahrain_Merida +0:23
3) @SupermanlopezN @AstanaTeam +0:28
4) @tom_dumoulin @TeamSunweb +0:28
5) @taogeoghegan @TeamINEOS +0:35#Giro pic.twitter.com/UX28QLKwKk

— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 11, 2019

Ouch. On the road, Nishimura came in at 17:30: more than 30% slower than our current leader, which means that unless there is an exemption made by the race jury, he is out of the race.
Quite stage means that the Giro social media team has time for some history.

On 2 June 1956, the day of the #Giro mountain time trial on the San Luca climb, Magni rode with a collarbone broken. His mechanic, 23-year-old Ernesto Colnago, tied an inner tube to the handlebars which Magni gripped between his teeth to take the weight off his broken collarbone. pic.twitter.com/PAmZMjVom9

— Giro d'Italia (@giroditalia) May 11, 2019

 
To take nothing away from all of the riders in between, but the theme of the day has certainly revolved around the wait for Yates. 
On the course, he looked good, flying by poor Gaviria on the climb. 
Second on the day. That bodes well for the next few weeks.

	Rider Name (Country) Team	Result
1	Primoz Roglic (Slo) Team Jumbo-Visma	0:12:54
2	Simon Yates (GBr) Mitchelton-Scott	0:00:19
3	Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Bahrain-Merida	0:00:23
4	Miguel Angel Lopez (Col) Astana Pro Team	0:00:28
5	Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Team Sunweb
6	Rafal Majka (Pol) Bora-Hansgrohe	0:00:33
7	Tao Geoghegan Hart (GBr) Team Ineos	0:00:35
8	Laurens De Plus (Bel) Team Jumbo-Visma
9	Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek-Segafredo	0:00:39
10	Damiano Caruso (Ita) Bahrain-Merida	0:00:40

The wine:  Vigneto Saetti Lambrusco

Vigneto Saetti Lambrusco Frizzante Salamino di Santa Croce - See more at: http://domainela.com/shop/sparkling-wines/2013-vigneto-saetti-lambrusco-frizzante-salamino-di-santa-croce#sthash.H83zlmld.dpuf

2013 Vigneto Saetti Lambrusco Frizzante Salamino di Santa Croce - See more at: http://domainela.com/shop/sparkling-wines/2013-vigneto-saetti-lambrusco-frizzante-salamino-di-santa-croce#sthash.H83zlmld.dpuf

2013 Vigneto Saetti Lambrusco Frizzante Salamino di Santa Croce - See more at: http://domainela.com/shop/sparkling-wines/2013-vigneto-saetti-lambrusco-frizzante-salamino-di-santa-croce#sthash.H83zlmld.dpuf

From the importer: Luciano Saetti lives in Modena and makes an incredible DOC Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce from the very local strain of Salamino. He works completely organically in the vineyards, with nothing added in the cellar, including sulfur. We are thrilled to be working with Luciano, a humble dedicated winemaker.
Look here for some thoughts on Lambrusco from Eric Asimov.  

I say: Sparkling ruby red. Very dry with sour cherries and flowers.  Really came alive when paired with the Bolognese.

The food:  A confession, new job, busier schedule means there may be a few changes in this year's Giro postings. But, a food to start:

Lasagne Bolognese
A friend wanted lasagne, so lasagne I did make.  
In this case, in a style of Emilia-Romagna. What that means is instead of mozzarella or ricotta or tomato sauce, the layers consisted of noodles, Bolognese sauce, a bechamel and grated parmesan. 

This recipe from Giuliano Hazan was my guide. The top ends up brown and slightly crispy, which may be a surprise to those used to a cheesier or more tomato heavy version.