The aim of this eno-gastronomic event is to introduce visitors to the chestnut “Roscetta”, a typical variety of the Valle Roveto and, at the same time, re-evaluate and give new life to the small town of Civitella Roveto.
This agricultural weekender is a fair organised by the Comune of Alanno and Agricultural organisations. Expect lots of tractors food, and local artisans showing off their skills, like basketmakers, beekeepers with their honey, wine etc. A bit different from the standard festa as it is more of an exhibition of the diverse set of agricultural activities that happens in the locality.
A beautiful location to celebrate San Martino is the ‘I Borghi più Belli d’Italia’ village of Pietracamela sits under Prati di Tivo. The village’s excellent restaurants have come together to create a polenta feast, wine and roasted chestnuts for just €10.
The sweet town of Barisciano celebrates Santa Caterina by hosting a bustling fair. Today in many countries Caterina is more commonly known today by the firework named in honour of her rather unpleasant death on a wheel, but local Gran Sasso farmers used to believe the milk that flowed from her neck nourished and protected their fields!
Abbateggio celebrates San Martino with its Bacchanalia festa, when members of the community open their cellars of this sweet town for delicious food and Vino Novello served by local wineries.
Arielli’s Vino Novello and chestnut sagra is an opportunity to try sparkly, fruity and fresh new wines from local wineries paired with local dishes and chestnuts to toast Autumn
A must-visit for all polenta lovers is Bellante’s polenta sagra! Pick from the traditional Abruzzese polenta served on a board with a sugo of sausage and pork belly or polenta with mushrooms, sausage and pancetta.
Italy officially uncorks its Vino Novello (‘New Wine’ – think Beaujolais but Italian style) on the 11th of November, which is coincidentally the ‘festa di St. Martino’
Roccamontepiano is Abruzzo’s Vino Cotto capital (Cooked Wine) and celebrates this elixir with tastings and demonstrations of how it is made, local dishes a market and dance and music! For those that don’t know about this liqueur, Montepulciano grapes are simmered and then aged in oak caskets. Traditionally, it was the drink used to wet a baby’s head and given as part of the dowry!
Who doesn’t love the opportunity to sit back and enjoy roast chestnuts with mulled wine in a beautiful town! Celenza Sul Trigno’s autumn festival is back and comes recommended.