 Produced biodynamically, Panini's Parmiggiano Reggiano is the only such cheese approved by the U.S. FDA.
|
Located a few kilometers from Modena on the way to Maranello is the small town of Baggiovara. Explore the country side to the north of the town and you may happen across the dairy farm owned by the Panini family. A farm? The Paninis made their fortune publishing soccer and sports cards, and according to the Panini Group, "is the world leader in the stickers and cards sector, the leading multi-national publisher of comics and mangas in Europe and Latin America, and is the most important distributor of comics and graphic novels for the sector of specialized book shops in Italy. In the year 2004 the Panini Group had a turnover of 363 Million Euros."
But one of the Panini's successful hobbies is the production of Parmesan cheese, hence the dairy farm. Hobby or not, the Panini's take their cheese seriously; production continues seven days a week, 52 weeks of the year. Even Christmas day is treated as a normal working day! And at any one time there are approximately 8000 wheels of cheese maturing. That's the best part of four million dollars worth of Parmesan.
Signor Panini told VeloceToday that his Parmesan cheese is something very special. "Not all parmesan is Parmesan. Panini's Parmesan is non-toxic, is a product of biodynamic agriculture (no additives and preservatives or chemical products contained in the cheese). As such, it is the only real Parmigiano Reggiano approved by the USDA for import into the United States and is available for the consumer in many shops in the States."
As you would expect from an area so close to Modena, there is a strong interest in cars, and amongst the Panini family are self-confessed Maserati fans; Maseratis, rather than Ferraris, were the car of choice for successful Italian businessmen. One of the out buildings on the farm contains a quite extraordinary collection of cars and motorbikes. The collection was started by the Maserati brothers before being added to by Omar Orsi.
 The Maserati Eldorado Special raced by Sir Stirling Moss in the Race of Two Worlds at Monza.
|
The collection is housed on two floors and although the cars themselves are packed closely together it doesn’t look over crowded. What greets you on entry sets the tone for the collection. A brace of Maserati motorbikes are to be found either side of the entrance and straight in front of you there is the Maserati Eldorado Special (Eldorado was the name of an ice cream company) that was raced by Sir Stirling Moss.
 Motorbikes are not normally associated with Maserati, but it is a little known fact that in the early days of the company the Maserati Brothers built motorbikes, with the cars being a sideline.
|
Down the left hand side of the hall you will find a multitude of Maseratis, most of which were due to be sold at auction by Bonhams. The Italians took a dim view of the Maserati collection being taken out of the country, regarding the cars as national treasures, much like a painting by Da Vinci. At the 11th hour, the Panini family secured the collection, saving it for Italy. Much to the displeasure of Bonhams as all these cars were owned by Maserati and constituted the nearest thing to a factory museum that the company had.
 Merak or Bora??? Always guaranteed to confuse the unwary. In this case it's a Bora, the Merak is out of shot to the right.
|
When was the last time that you were able to compare the differences between the Maserati Merak and Bora? The differences are subtle and catch out many people. In the Panini collection you can as they sit next to each other. In fact the Merak in question is the prototype Turbo. This pair, however, are dwarfed by the enormous chunk of metal that is the Quattroporte 3. It is hard to appreciate just how big these cars are until you stand next to, and walk round, one. A few feet away is the unnamed 2+2 prototype designed by Giugiaro in 1974.
 Maserati Quattroporte 3. This car has presence and style and is one of the biggest sports saloons you are ever likely to find.
|
Anyone contemplating building a collection of Maseratis would not consider the collection to be complete without having a Birdcage. Panini has two. One being one of the late mid engine versions. And of course there are Ghiblis with both spider and coupe being represented. Also at the end of the row one will find a more modern Ghibli cup car. This particular example was raced by the Paninis in the Italian GT championship.
 One of the iconic Maseratis of the 1960's. The Ghibli is to Maserati fans what the Daytona is to Ferraristi – the ultimate classic GT car.
|
Normally the Maserati 5000GT is a car that stands out from the crowd, its girth and opulence announcing its presence to all and sundry. However, on this particular dairy farm in northern Italy the 5000GT takes the role of the shy retiring type. Why? Partly because in this company it simply can't hold it's head and shoulders high enough. Just a few feet away is the Eldorado and a few feet away in the other direction you will find a glorious example of the A6GCS Pininfarina Berlinetta. And thrown in between the three is a Mistral.
 A 5000GT would normally stand out from the crowd, however in this collection it was over shadowed by the quality of the exhibits.
|
If there is one car in here that looks out of place than it is the Ford (Europe) Capri. Despite being dressed in its racing clothes it just doesn't sit well with the rest of the exhibits. This may explain why it is tucked away at the back! The Capri is quite well hidden by a 3500GT that is also dressed for racing.
 Another prototype, this time from the 1970's and from the pen of Giugiaro. Those with an interest in British sports cars will notice a resemblance to the original Lotus Esprit which came from the same pen. This car has known simply as the 2+2 prototype.
|
Venturing upstairs is a bit of a shock to the system. The lower level is ordered, neatly laid out and presentable. The upper level is best described as work in progress! One can’t help but notice the dozens of motorbikes. It wasn't clear where they had all come from, but all the Italian manufactures were represented as well as the more notable non-Italians such as the long forgotten BSA Company. There are also other curious items such as a Lotus 18 GP car and the odd piece of ex-military hardware.
 Prototype of the Maserati Barchetta, one of a number of prototypes making this collection unique.
|
But the real stars up here, like downstairs, are the Maseratis. And it was these particular cars that Bonhams were most upset about when they lost them. The reason? Quite simply because they are prototypes of the Barchetta and of the Chubasco, which is more full scale wind tunnel model than anything else.
 Another star car in the collection is this static prototype of the Maserati Chubasa.
|
And this car, more than any other, explains why Panini were able snatch these cars away from under the noses of the auction house. The reason is simply that it was felt that this car should not only stay in Italy, but should stay as close to Modena as possible. There was also a strong desire to keep the collection together. It has survived in tact for so many years that it would have been criminal to split it up.
 Maserati A6GCS Pininfarina Berlinetta, another of the star cars in this collection of star cars.
|
Considering the closeness of Maranello one would expect to see a plethora of Ferraris. So, to find that there are only two could be considered a little disappointing. However, on closer inspection the sight of a 288GTO and 250PF coupe is refreshing. Something that both cars have in common is the fact that they are a little over shadowed by their brethren. Even the Alfa Romeo's outnumber the Maranello creations. A brace of Giuliettas in both spider and coupe form sit alongside a Montreal. This particular Montreal really shows that it is a child of the 1970s, being finished as it is in an unflattering shade of chocolate brown.
 Unusual view of the Ferrari 288GTO. Being so close to Maranello it was felt a little strange that there were only two Ferraris in this collection.
|
This is by no means a big collection, but there is something for everyone in there. There is even a pre-war Lincoln sitting next to a Lancia of similar vintage. And the whole feel of the collection is quite personal. The walls are covered with posters, photographs and other memorabilia.
 Ferrari 250 PF Coupe & Alfa Giuliettas. The other Italians make only a token appearance in the Panini Collection.
|
After seeing the collection and then being shown the cheese you feel obliged to dip your hand into your pocket and purchase some of the finest Parmesan cheese in the area from the home of the finest Maserati collection in the world.
Since I last visited the Panini collection there have been several additions. The main additions including a Maserati Boomerang and a Quattroporte 1. The best just got better.
Learn more about the Panini Group
Order Panini's Parmiggiano Reggiano
