7 Italian food and wine events you really shouldn’t miss this Spring

Love food? Love Italy? Then get yourself along to Italy this Spring! There’s a whole host of gourmet events taking place and here we’ve rounded up 7 of the best foodie festivals to whet your appetite in the few months ahead, covering everything from fresh fish (see ‘Slow Fish’ below) to fried food (see ‘Fritto Misto’). Primavera del Prosecco 16th March – 9th June 2013 Treviso, Valdobbiadene, Conegliano, Cartizze This exciting annual event takes place in the heart of the Prosecco wine area and will lead the visitors in a journey of discovery of all aspects of this delicious wine production process. Special packages are on offer which would include stay in hotels, agriturismi and B&Bs of the area, restaurants and visit to wineries. Special events such as shows, exhibitions and visits to historic villas of the area have also been organized. Slow Fish, in Liguria From 10th to 13th May 2013, Genoa The international show completely dedicated to the fish world and its problems comes back to the Fiera di Genova. It takes place every two years and it is organized by Slow Food and the Regione Liguria; it has reached its fifth edition. It deals with matters concerning sustainable fish production and responsible consumption with regard to the sea and the aquatic ecosystems through conferences, meetings, workshops and tastings. www.slowfish.it Sagra del Pesce, in Liguria 12th May 2013, Camogli (Genoa) In the natural, picturesque, and exclusive setting of the small square of the port, the largest frying pan in the world will fry fish for guests and tourists alike, during the most typical Ligurian feast: the Sagra del Pesce. Born in 1952, this classical festival is linked to the centuries-old festival of San Fortunato, patron of the fishermen. The religious celebration takes place on the evening of its eve with bonfires: the people of Camogli, from the two districts of Porto and Pinetto, build proper, large scale sculptures, using waste material; they challenge one another in terms of creativity and beauty, on the two sides of the beach. Tel. +39 0185 771066 – www.prolococamogli.it Sagra del Limone, in Liguria 18th May 2013, Monterosso (La Spezia) During this day the town is painted yellow and the streets come alive with stalls of all types where the typical fruit of the area and its produce reign supreme: limoncino, lemon cream, marmalade and lemon cake. In the afternoon the ‘8000 passi al profumo di limone’ walk winds around the streets of Monterosso, starting at the house of poet Eugenio Montale and passing by the most famous places in the area. The walk also comprises a visit to a typical lemon grove with food stalls and eateries. The day ends with a party in the main square of the town and a prize-giving for the best lemon-themed window display. Aromatica, in Liguria June, Imperia province (Diano Marina, San Bartolomeo al Mare, Cervo, Diano Arentino, Diano Castello, Diano San Pietro, Villa Faraldi) A biennial event created to celebrate and appreciate basil, herbs and aromas from the Ponente Ligure, which this year is in its 5th edition. At the heart of ‘Aromatica’ are food and wine produced in the territory with initiatives which involve the whole of the Dianese gulf. There are many events taking place, from cookery courses to workshops for children, conventions about health and well-being and didactic courses, from aromatic herbs in the kitchen and cosmetics, to market stall exhibits of local products, from music to the discovery of the villages and their traditions. Gourmet Festival in Bolzano/Bozen, South Tyrol 24th-26th May 2013 This food and wine festival shows off the variety and quality of the South Tyrol regional products with a guarantee of origin in the product houses and market stalls of Bolzano’s old town. These long-established foods reflect South Tyrol’s culture and tradition. In a varied supporting programme well-known celebrity and top chefs will prepare delicious food using South Tyrolean quality products. Fritto Misto, in Marche 24th April – 1st May 2013 in Ascoli Piceno, Marche This event in its 5th year, celebrates all things “fried” and typically regional such as Marche’s “olive ascolane” (giant green olived filled with meat and deep fried), Sicily’s “arancini” (rice balls filled with meats or peas), Neapolitan “cannoli” (sweet conical cakes filled with ricotta), “frittura di pesce” (lightly fried mixed fish) and much more. A truly mouthwatering offering.