Not that you need an excuse to join us on the La Dolce Vita Tuscany 2016 trip, but if you’re looking for one, the countryside comes alive with festivals, feasts, and celebrations all revolving around the three things a gourmand just can’t live without – wine, olive oil, and white truffles!
Wine!
Italy is known internationally for its wine, and the grape harvesting season – vendemmia – is an important time of year. The harvest is celebrated with festivals, tours and tastings. Consider joining in the revelry and tradition by taking a wine tour of one or more of Italy’s wine-producing regions. Grapes are ready to be harvested in Italy in the early- to mid-fall, most often during October. Occasionally, when the summers have been particularly hot, the grapes are ready in mid- to late-September. At this absolutely brilliant time of year in Tuscany, the summer crowds have gone home and the countryside is ablaze with harvest color. The temperatures are mild during the day and pleasantly cool at night. When you’ve tired of stomping grapes and sipping wines, you will find the classical arts calendar in full swing at this time of year, affording you the opportunity to take in an opera or ballet.
XLVI Rassegna del Chianti Classico (46th Expo of Chianti Classico Wines)
Every year, during the second week of September, all producers of Black Rooster wine – the symbol of the Chianti Classico DOCG – present their products in the main square of Greve in Chianti as part of the Expo of Chianti Classico Wines. Each winery has its own exhibition stand for the presentation and tasting of their wines and other local products, such as olive oil. (You purchase a class at the entrance to the event.) During the wine festival, you’ll also be treated to other events such as art exhibitions and concerts.
SEPTEMBER 8-11
GREVE IN CHIANTI
Truffles!
Truffles are a top Italian fall culinary item and are celebrated with truffle fairs and festivals in central and northern Italy. Going to a truffle fair is a must for foodies visiting Italy. Truffles are found primarily in the regions of Piedmont, Molise, Tuscany, Umbria, Emilia Romagna, and Le Marche. During October and November there are many white truffle fairs held in these regions and fall dishes made with the white truffle, tartufo bianco, are plentiful in this part of Italy. What could be more romantic than feasting on a meal made with the sensuous truffle?
Alba White Truffle Market
The Truffle Market is the place to come to find out everything there is to know about the truffle, immersing yourself in a unique and headily scented atmosphere. Every truffle on sale at the market has been checked by a special commission before the market opens to the public, and this group of experts will also be available for consultation at the Consumer Help Desk inside the pavilions. The Truffle Market offers visitors the chance to see, touch and smell many, many truffles, sold directly by trustworthy vendors and local truffle hunters.
FROM 08 OCTOBER TO 27 NOVEMBER
CORTILE DELLA MADDALENA
Alba White Truffle Show
The greedy appointments of the International Fair of White Alba Truffle continue with the Alba Truffle Show, big gourmet events that honour the chefs of the territory of Langhe and Roero, but also all those who in their dishes bring out the white Alba Truffle. The meetings are held every Saturday and Sunday at the central Cortile della Maddalena, venue of the world market of the white Alba truffle.
FROM 08 OCTOBER TO 27 NOVEMBER
CORTILE DELLA MADDALENA
The greedy appointments of the International Fair of White Alba Truffle continue with the Alba Truffle Show, big gourmet events that honour the chefs of the territory of Langhe and Roero, but also all those who in their dishes bring out the white Alba Truffle. The meetings are held every Saturday and Sunday at the central Cortile della Maddalena, venue of the world market of the white Alba truffle.
FROM 08 OCTOBER TO 27 NOVEMBER
CORTILE DELLA MADDALENA
Alba White Truffle Show
The greedy appointments of the International Fair of White Alba Truffle continue with the Alba Truffle Show, big gourmet events that honour the chefs of the territory of Langhe and Roero, but also all those who in their dishes bring out the white Alba Truffle. The meetings are held every Saturday and Sunday at the central Cortile della Maddalena, venue of the world market of the white Alba truffle.
FROM 08 OCTOBER TO 27 NOVEMBER
CORTILE DELLA MADDALENA
The greedy appointments of the International Fair of White Alba Truffle continue with the Alba Truffle Show, big gourmet events that honour the chefs of the territory of Langhe and Roero, but also all those who in their dishes bring out the white Alba Truffle. The meetings are held every Saturday and Sunday at the central Cortile della Maddalena, venue of the world market of the white Alba truffle.
FROM 08 OCTOBER TO 27 NOVEMBER
CORTILE DELLA MADDALENA