L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2015 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 17 A fter a quite disastrous 2014, a time when most wine producers in Italy lamented very poor harvests due to the inclement weather, it s e e m s l i k e 2 0 1 5 w i l l b e t h e complete opposite: thanks to perfect weather conditions and h i g h t e m p e r a t u r e s , t h e vendemmia -the harvesting of grapes to make wine- has been anticipated this year, with many locations starting as early as August 20th. Producers expect 2015 to be a great vintage and, while we won't be able to try t h e s e w i n e s f o r a c o u p l e o f y e a r s , w e a r e s u r e t h e atmosphere at the various sagre della vendemmia around Italy will, indeed, be quite joyous. Sagra dell'Uva e del Vino dei Colli Ceriti in Cerveteri ( p r o v i n c e o f R o m e ) . A s a different way to say goodbye to t h e s u m m e r , t h e P r o L o c o Cerveteri organizes three days of fun and wine tasting from August 28th to August 30th. Enjoy both red and whites a stone's throw away from the sea in the old historical center and make sure you try a glass of Giacché, an ancient vintage said to date back to Etruscan times. Festa dell'Uva in Gattinara (province of Vercelli). At its 33rd edition, this popular wine festival promises three days jam packed with events of all kinds: from a horse parade to jazz and latin live music, from vintage motorcycles to wine tasting. Cellars, restaurants and hotels w i l l o p e n t h e i r d o o r s f r o m September 4th to September 6th giving visitors the opportunity to sample local wines Gattinara and Coste del Sesia along with s a v o r y a n d s w e e t d e l i c a c i e s typical of the area. Festa della Vendemmia at V i l l a P a l a d i n i n A n n o n e Veneto (province of Venice). Sunday September 13th will see Villa Paladin, in partnership with Slow Food Treviso, will p r e s e n t s o m e o f t h e b e s t prosecco around, along with other beloved local wines such as Paladin e Bosco del Merlo, C h i a n t i C l a s s i c o P r e m i a t a F a t t o r i a d i C a s t e l v e c c h i e Franciacorta Castello Bonomi. The wine, of course, will be a c c o m p a n i e d b y S l o w F o o d specialties and by a barbecue lunch featuring a skewer with four different meats. For more i n f o r m a t i o n o r t o r e s e r v e a table: +39 0422 768167 Festa della Vendemmia in Mazzè (Province of Torino). For a more intimate and smaller festival, the Azienda Agrigola Santa Clelia has in store a party perfect for the whole family, as it will include several activities for kids to be entertained while CHIARA ASSI the grown ups enjoy the wine. On Sunday, September 13th, visitors can try to stomp on g r a p e s – j u s t l i k e t h e v e n d e m m i a w a s d o n e i n t h e past – and can enjoy an apertif in the vineyard, a nice sit down lunch, live music and cooking demonstrations, proof that the v e n d e m m i a c a n t r u l y b e a n event for everyone. Vino al Vino, Panzano in Chianti (province of Florence). E v e r y y e a r , o n t h e t h i r d w e e k e n d o f S e p t e m b e r , t h e w i n e p r o d u c e r s o f P a n z a n o meet in the village square to s h o w c a s e t h e i r w i n e s , o f t e n w i n n e r s o f r e g i o n a l a n d national contests. Visitors have the chance to sample different styles of wines, chat with the winemakers and listen to some g r e a t j a z z f r o m T h u r s d a y S e p t e m b e r 1 7 t h t o S u n d a y , September 20th. Once only a small local festival, the group of wineries participating has s t e a d i l y g r o w n a n d t o d a y i t forms an important group of w i n e m a k e r s w h o c o n t r o l quality production, promote o r g a n i c a n d s u s t a i n a b l e vineyard techniques and much more. Interesting for those who want to learn more about the w i n e p r o d u c t i o n p r o c e s s . http://www.vinoalvinopanzano. com/vinoalvino/?lang=en Festa e Marcia dell'Uva 2 0 1 5 i n V e r l a d i G i o v o ( p r o v i n c e o f T r e n t o ) . F o o d , wine, but also sport and an out of season Carnival like parade: the Marcia dell'Uva is a unique event that attracts thousands of p e o p l e e a c h y e a r . F r o m September 25th to the 27th, w i n e l o v e r s c a n e n j o y t h e i r f a v o r i t e b e v e r a g e , b u t a l s o p a r t a k e i n a l e i s u r e l y w a l k through the vineyards, hills and l o c a l c h a p e l s , c h o o s i n g between a 5 km, 10 km or 16 km path. The highlight of the party, though, is the allegorical c h a r i o t s p a r a d e o n S u n d a y , similar to those seen during f a m o u s C a r n i v a l s , t h a t c o n c l u d e s t h i s q u i r k y w i n e festival. F e s t a d e l V i n o i n A l b a (province of Cuneo). Notorious and delicious wines are under the spotlight at the 17th edition o f t h i s f e s t i v a l : B a r o l o , Barbaresco, Nebbiolo, Roero, R o e r o A r n e s i , B a r b e r a , Dolcetto and many others. On Sunday, September 27th, the historical downtown district of Alba will be the place to be for t h o s e w h o l i k e w i n e s f r o m P i e d m o n t , t o b e e n j o y e d o f course along with local cheeses a n d c o l d c u t s a n d o t h e r specialties. For details visit http://www.gowinet.it The atmosphere at the various "Sagre della vendemmia" is quite joyous Feste della vendemmia: Italy's wine festival

• Cover