Montaione’s territory - as most of Tuscany - is characterized by a landscape where vineyards are alternated with olive groves.
By the way, Tuscany is famous all over the world, not only for the Chianti wine, but also for its Olive Oil and the bread without salt. In fact these are the most important typical gastronomic products of Tuscany. Extra Vergine Oil of Olive, famous for its unique taste and a deep green color, is one of the most important products of the territory of Montaione.
The unique taste of the Oil of Olive is enhanced by the tuscan bread that in many bakery of Montaione is still made following the traditional recipe and cooked in wood-burning ovens. Tuscan Bread, is without salt to better feel the taste of the traditional tuscan cuisine, and it is a typical products of Montaine that for this reason is member of the Association “Città del Pane”.
Montaione is also member of the Association “Città dell’Olio” that together with the Association “Città del Pane” is committed into promotion and improvement of the bread and oil made following the traditional tuscan recipe ensuring genuineness. The end of November is a very important period for the olive harvest, and Montaione celebrate this moment with the “Festa del Pane ed Olio”.
Sunday 24 november in the historical centre of Montaione (Repubblica Square), some local farms from Montaione, had equipped gastronomic stands to let visitors to taste their products.
On VisitMontaione.tv is available the Video of the event Pane e Olio in Montaione.
“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.
Ciccia e Vino is the name of a new event dedicated to the typical products of Tuscany carried out Sunday, July 12 in the historic centre in Montaione. In an atmosphere of joy and welcomed by a small orchestra that accompanied with a pleasant background, the many tourists in this period spend their holidays in Tuscany in Montaione, were able to taste the Florentine steak (Ciccia) and wine of Montaione. It was also possible to taste other products typical of Tuscany and Montaione as the Tuscan bread (strictly without salt) and “bruschetta”, all seasoned with Tuscan extra-virgin olive oil.
In the central square of Montaione were in fact set up large tables and under the eyes of all was cooked Florentine steak, but also sausage, pork and chicken. The barbecue makes the Tuscany famous all over the world because cooking a steak is a real ceremony that requires care, time and dedication.
Only in this way the result is amazing and good for the palate! The smell of barbecue, music and happiness of all those who participated made the Sunday evening of Montaione different and enjoyable!
For those who had missed the event can always watch the video Ciccia e Vino.
Yesterday took place in the historic centre of Montatone, the market for local products and handicrafts. This market, which takes place every first Tuesday of June, July, August and September, is without a doubt one of the most characteristic markets of the calendar of events of Summer Montaionese.
During the event, were set up gastronomic stands, where the farms of Montaione gave samples of their products, such as Chianti wine, olive oil, grappas and vin santo. In other stands was also possible to taste cakes, Tuscan salami and cheeses. In the streets of the historical centre, were set up stands with a lot of handicrafts and antiques products of tuscany.
The market of tuesday, saw the participation of so many tourists who stay in accommodations near Montaione, that were looking for something to bring home as remember of their holiday in Tuscany. If you want to have an idea about the market of typical products and handicrafts of Montaione you can see the video, otherwise do not miss the upcoming events:
Tuesday, August 5
Tuesday, September 2, 2008.
