Riso Nano Vialone Veronese (Verona dwarf rice)
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Karst spring and spring waters emerge plentiful in the area of the Veronese plain where IGP Riso Nano Vialone Veronese is grown and this draws its prestigious qualities from the purity of these waters. They run continuously, furrowing and soaking rich soil, mixed with lime and sand. These waters are vital for the paddy fields which they flood. Seeds germinate in these limpid waters and it is here that young plants find protection from the cold spring nights. The rice grower uses his know-how to regulate their flow to support the phases of growth.
This area covers the territories of the following municipalities in the province of Verona
Bovolone, Buttapietra, Casaleone, Cerea, Concamarise, Erbè, Gazzo Veronese, Isola della Scala, Isola Rizza, Mozzecane, Nogara, Nogarole Rocca, Oppeano, Palù, Povegliano Veronese, Ronco All’Adige, Roverchiara, Salizzole, Sanguinetto, San Pietro di Morubio, Sorgà, Trevenzuolo, Vigasio, Zevio
At the beginning of spring, rice-growers prepare their fields to plant Vialone Nano rice. The seed bed must be perfectly level so that water can flood these evenly. With fertilisation, backed up with organic matter, the fertile soil of the Verona area receives all the nutrients it requires. It is ploughed and harrowed to oxygenate it. The straight furrows are ready to receive water. Karst spring water gushes into the wide fields, where seeds germinate under water, protected from the inclement spring nights. However, after a few days the water is removed from the paddy field to allow the young plant to anchor itself firmly in the soil. From this moment growers use their know-how to flood the fields and remove water from them depending on the various stages of crop growth, interpreting their requirements according to weather conditions. Dry periods are also useful to kill off algae and harmful insects.
Well into the summer the “Riso Nano Vialone Veronese” plants reach their maximum height and the inflorescences which preclude fecundation appear on the fertile culms. From now on the ripening phase is in progress. At the end of August the Nano Vialone ears already have a turgid and golden appearance. In favourable weather conditions they will be perfectly ripe in at the end of September. Choosing the right moment for harvesting is important in I.G.P. production, If threshed too the grains are still green and if threshed too late broken grains are obtained.
The production specifications for IGP Nano Vialone Veronese rice contemplate a minimum imperfection tolerance of only 3% of the total product: each grain must be perfect, healthy and ripe.
In early autumn combine harvesters are brought into the fields to cut the stems, collect the panicles and remove the grains with extreme rapidity. After accurate drying, the unrefined rice, known as the paddy, is transferred to the warehouses to be processed.
“Riso Nano Vialone Veronese IGP” is processed using state-of-the-art equipment, although these processes actually remain extremely simple. The rice reaches the final consumer without having undergone any chemical treatment or manipulation. Before being stored for processing, the paddy (unrefined rice) is dried in hot air plants.
Before being packeted “Riso Nano Vialone Veronese IGP” must have a humidity level of less than 14%. Another characteristic which guarantees a high quality, tasty product which does not deteriorate easily.
After the husks have been removed, the grains are whitened, using the simple mechanical process of rubbing. They are then selected by optical scanner grids capable of recognising and separating impurities or imperfect grains. At this point the grains of polished “Riso Nano Vialone Veronese IGP” are ready to be packeted and offered to the consumer.
Reference: Consorzio di Tutela della I.G.P.