“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.
Like every year, last Sunday 28 of October, it has been carried out the Festival of Truffle and chestnut, that thank to a sunny day with mild temperatures, has attracted many visitors and connoisseur of Truffles.
During the festival it was possible to buy at the many gastronomic stands together with the white truffle, some typical and local products like the Chianti wine, the extravergine oil of olive, cheese and salami, while in some restaurants it was possible to taste some dishes with truffle.
As a long tradition, yesterday in Montaione has been carried out the15th festival of truffles. This event attract since many years lots of truffle’s lovers and in paricular of the white Truffle or “Tuber magnatum Pico” - the most precious one - that naturally grow in the territory of Montaione. The festival has been carried out in the park of Villa Serena with gastronomical stands where it was possible to taste - together with the famous truffles - many typical products from the local farms that has presented their Chianti wine, extra vergine oil of olive, honey and cheese. In the historical centre and on the main road of Montaione there where other stands with local handicraft products that have enjoyed lots of visitors appealed by a warm climate and a sunny day. Those who have spent and holiday in Tuscany it has been a right opportunity to taste the typical products and spend a relaxing day.
“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.
