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“Autunno nel Circondario” is a series of festivals, food markets and exhibitions that will atke place for the next two months in the territory of Empolese Valdelsa. Indeed, all weekend, starting from October 10 to November 23, the typical products of Tuscany, will be protagonists in the squares of the 11 municipalities in the territory of Empolese Valdelsa. The events of Autumn in the district are full of initiatives with festivals and food markets commited to enhancing and promoting the local products such as truffles, artichokes, onions, salami, cheese, chianti wine and oil that attract the attention of many gourmets. It starts Friday Oct. 10 with the “feast of steak and mushrooms” in Certaldo, during the main event Boccaccesca and will continue with the Mercatale of Empoli and the festival Autumn in Castelfiorentino. The following week, on October 19, will be the turn of Fucecchio that rediscovers “its old flavor”, as well as livestock fair on November 4. Montespertoli offers tastings of Vin Santo accompanied by Chestnut on 19 and Oct. 26, the festival of Vino Novello the 8 and 10 of November, and the festival of Vin Santo on Nov. 23rd. In Montaione, after the exhibition del Tartufo Bianco (watch the video), will presents the festival of “Pane e Olio” (see the video), an event which will be presented the new oil produced from local farms and the famous bread of Montaione.

In autumn the months of October, November and December, are definitely the most important for the countryside.
Autumn is the time when it runs - in addition to the harvest of olives and grapes -, the collection of truffles. Perhaps not everyone knows that Montaione is located in one of the richest areas of Truffles of Tuscany and Italy and is part of the “Associazione Città del Tartufo”, an association that has as its main purpose the protection and enhancement of Italian culture of truffle.
The white truffle or “Tuber magnatum Pico”, is the most precious and it is collects from October to November, while the Black Truffle is collected from November to March / April.
During this period every year, Montaione celebrates this valuable product of the earth by organizing a festival dedicated to the tasting and the discovery of the truffle.
Even this year next Sunday 26 October 2008 will take place the traditional exhibition and festival of truffle and chestnut, an event the truffle lovers and those who want to know more about this product cannot miss. During the month of October the restaurants in Valdelsa - including those of Montaione – will prepare dishes with truffles and tasting menu with typical local products.
Staying in one of the many farmhouses, bed and breakfast, holiday homes and hotels of Tuscany, perhaps taking advantage of a short holiday or weekend, truffle lovers will be able to participate - in addition to the exhibition of truffle Montaione - also at the following events: Volterragusto 1 and Nov. 2 at Volterra 35 km from Montaione, or the fair XXXVIII Nazionale del Tartufo Bianco di San Miniato that will take place the weekend of 15/16, 22/23 and 29/30 November in a San Miniato at only 20 km from Montaione.

Watch the video of the XVII festival of truffle of 26 October 2008 in Montaione in Tuscany.