Anteprima del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2016

Pubblicato il 8 Febbraio 2016 da Genni

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From February 13th to 15th Montepulciano will be celebrating one of its eagerly awaited wine events, the Preview of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Over 40 wineries will participate in this preview. Now at its 23rd edition, the event is open to both those operating in the wine industry and to wine lovers, wishing to taste one of the best wines in the world in the unique setting of the Fortress of Montepulciano.

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A truly unique opportunity to all those who wish to taste the Vino Nobile of some of the most important wineries of the territory, dealing directly with the makers, at the price of just 10 Euros. This year it will be possible to taste the Nobile 2013 vintage, a 4 star year which is ready to be placed on the market after its disciplinary two-year ageing, and the Riserva 2012, a 5 star year, as well as other wines produced in the Montepulciano area.

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An unmissable event for the growing number of wine lovers, as well as an unforgettable way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with passion and emotion. It will also be a great opportunity to visit this enchanting town as well as its surroundings.

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Open on Saturday 13th from 2 pm to 6.30 pm, on Sunday 14th from 11 am to 6.30 pm and on Monday 15th from 9 am to 5 pm.

Pubblicato in Events around Siena, Events in Valdichiana, Fêtes & showcases in Tuscany, Tuscan food and wine, Tuscan lifestyle, Tuscan wineries, Tuscany, Valdichiana | Contrassegnato , , , | Lascia un commento

When Banksy visited Tuscany

Pubblicato il 6 Febbraio 2016 da Genni

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In December last year, 2015, a Banksy work was spotted on a motorway in proximity of the white marble town of Carrara coming from the north. The new piece is an intervention on one of the motorway’s road signs indicating the local sights. This one in particular depicts the famous Ponti di Vara, which was once the marble railway used to transport the marble from the Apuan Alps to Carrara. Banksy covered the mountains behind the bridges with an Hollywood-like sign: ALL YOU CAN EAT. Underneath the unmistakable signature of the English artist.

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Most probably the artwork is an environmentalist condemnation of the degraded exploitation of these majestic marble mountains. For years the intensive industrial methods used to deplete this precious marble has spoilt one of the world’s most stunning natural beauties. Carrara marble has already been used by Banksy in 2009 in the exhibition “Banksy vs the Bristol Museum”.

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Regretfully, between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the artwork was removed by the society who manages the motorway. Just a few weeks before Banksy had created several murals in the vicinity of Calais, France, including the so-called “Jungle” where migrants live as they attempt to enter the United Kingdom. One of these included the piece The Son of a Migrant from Syria depicting Steve Jobs as a migrant. For the first time in Italy the English graffiti artist has displayed his art on a publicly visible surface and for a very honourable cause. As always.

Ponti di Vara_01

Pubblicato in Apuan Alps, Carrara, Events on the Apuan Alps, Tuscany | Contrassegnato , , , , , | Lascia un commento

Florence, Fiera del Cioccolato Artigianale 2016 – the Artisan Chocolate Fair

Pubblicato il 4 Febbraio 2016 da Genni

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On from February 12th to 21st 2016, to delight both young and old, and above all chocoholics, the 12th edition of the Artisan Chocolate Fair of Florence.

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Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Santa Maria Novella, the square will host stalls with artisans ready to delight your eyes and palate.

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Many the events on programme, both for children and adults. Workshops like “Chocolatier for the day” and “Hands-On” for those who have always wished to try their hand in creating something delicious.

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Sharper taste lovers will be happy to experiment pairing of grappa and chocolate whilst the more creative can go cake designing.

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Certainly an opportunity not to miss for those of you in or around Florence. For as Charles Schulz once wrote, “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”

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The event is free admission but workshops and events are upon reservation so as to allow everyone to participate in the fair’s activities. Open from 10 am to 8 pm Monday-Friday and from 10 am to 10 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

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Pubblicato in Events in Florence, Fairs and markets in Tuscany, Florence, Tuscan food and wine, Tuscany | Contrassegnato , , , , , , | Lascia un commento

Carnevale di Foiano della Chiana, a carnival full of history and tradition

Pubblicato il 31 Gennaio 2016 da Genni

01 The Carnival of Foiano della Chiana

Starting in 1539, the Carnival of Foiana della Chiana, in the province of Arezzo, is considered the oldest carnival event of Italy. Apparently three days were dedicated to the celebrations, while in the 1800s the festivity was commemorated in the enormous kitchens of the farmhouses with rivers of vinsanto and oceans of ‘cenci’, as they call the deliciously crisp angel wings over here. Later, in 1826, the inhabitants of Foiano della Chiana would meet at the Garibaldi Theatre were they would dance and play lots of music.

02 Cenci di carnevale

Today the Carnival of Foiano della Chiana is considered among the most important events of its kind in Italy, both for the spectacular choreography and for its historical tradition. Four quarters of town, called ‘cantieri’ (yards), compete with massive, brightly coloured floats. The quarters are Azzurri (Blue), Bombolo (from the name of their first float in 1934), Nottambuli (Night-Owls) and Rustici (Rustics). Their floats parade in front of a jury made up of national art experts. The wagons are enormous, measuring up to a maximum of 17 meters in length, 10 m in width and 13 m in height, and are made by masters of papier-mâché and mechanical technicians.

03 Carnevale 2015

Dominating the scenes is the figure of Re Giocondo, King Merry, who opens the parades every Sunday. He is followed by the bigger floats, by people in carnival masks and by the bands. On the last Sunday of Carnival, Re Giocondo, who is obviously made of rags and straw, is burned during the spectacular ceremony known as the ‘rificolonata’, where the ‘rificolone’ are lanterns. Before the bonfire, a testament of the year’s events is read aloud like an epilogue for the past year and a prologue to the new year. Before being dismantled the floats enjoy one last parade in the month of June during the so-called ‘Carnival Under the Stars’.

04 Carnevale 2015

Pubblicato in Culture in Tuscany, Events in Valdichiana, Tuscan lifestyle, Tuscan traditions, Tuscany, Valdichiana | Contrassegnato , , , | Lascia un commento

Carnevale di Viareggio – the Carnival is back

Pubblicato il 26 Gennaio 2016 da Genni

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Lent Season is coming up soon and February is ready to kick off with its festive celebrations. Carnival, in fact, is just round the corner with its celebrations, parades and street parties. Amongst the most renowned carnival celebrations in both Italy and Europe is the Carnival of Viareggio, held on the Versilia Coast.

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This month-long carnevale is characterized mainly by its parade of floats and masks depicting caricatures of popular people, such as politicians, showmen and (obviously) footballers. The parade is held along the well-known Viareggio promenade next to the local beach.

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The Carnival of Viareggio goes back to 1873, when the wealthy youngsters frequenting the Casino’s café decided to organize a parade, some say to protest against the many taxes they were forced to pay and for this reason they showed up wearing masks. Since then the carnival is accompanied by masked balls and costume parties.

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In the 1920s the “colour” masquerades were popular, during which the ladies had to wear a dress of the specified colour, while the gentlemen wore tuxedos and the decorations, confetti and streamers were of the colours required. Nightspots along the promenade like Principe di Piemonte, the Royal Hotel and the café chantant Margherita were the ideal venue for these types of parties and precisely in the latter began in 1932 the tradition of masked balls with “Eighteenth century face-powdered dances”. Today the masquerades are local parties held during the weekends by the various quarters on the seafront. These street parties are accompanied by music, masks and lots of fun.

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This year, 2016, the parades will be held on February 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th and March 5th. There will also be a firework show on the first two evenings and obviously on the last.

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Pubblicato in Culture in Tuscany, Events in Versilia, Lucca, Tuscan Coast, Tuscan lifestyle, Tuscany, Versilia | Contrassegnato , , , | Lascia un commento