Winefests

As the days shorten and the shadows lengthen, people have always gathered to celebrate the bounty of the harvest. The most important crop in Tuscany is wine, and much is planned: in mid-September Greve will host the annual Rassegna del Chianti Classico, an ideal occasion to taste the most recent vintage and decide whose wines you want to stock up on. There will also be shows (including a photographic exhibition) and panel discussions; for further information call on Italy 055/854243.

On the last weekend of September the town of Impruneta will hold the annual Festa dell'Uva, a festival in which the town's four neighborhoods compete to see who can provide the best allegorical representation of the grape harvest. It's street theater at its best, and the town square will come alive with beautiful floats and fancifully costumed performers.

The last week of September Rufina will hold Bacco Artigiano, a festival featuring the wines of Pomino and Rufina (little-known Tuscan gems). For further information call on Italy 055/8396111.

The first wine of the year is, of course, vino novello, which goes so well with the chestnuts that also appear in late fall. The wine will be bottled at the end of October, and you will be able to decide which you like best at two sagre scheduled for early November, one at Pontassieve and the other at Montespertoli.

For exact dates check the wine festivals page.