There are many events which animate the territory during
the course of the year. From January food and wine events
in the province provide the opportunity of tasting the variety
of the traditional cuisine. In the spring there are many
events connected to wine, such as the Barbera fairs at Castagnole
Lanze, Agliano, Nizza Monferrato, Montegrosso.
In the Asti area, with historical and legendary recollections,
the period of Lent and Pentecoste is celebrated at the Polenta
festivities of Monastero Bormida, Bubbio, Cassinasco, Roccaverano.
Regarding historical recollections, the Siege of Canelli
in June should be noted. For a whole weekend the inhabitants
of Canelli and numerous tourists re-enact the tension, battle.
moments of fear and festivity of the siege of the city which
the town endured in 1613. From spring to summer there are
many food and wine tours to be made for tasting the local
specialities, and at the same time enjoying the colours
of the countryside in that period. Among the main wine and
food tasting excursions, we suggest "Mangiando and
Scollinando" to San Damiano, "Stramangiatonco"
in Tonco and "Alla scoperta dei sentieri di Bacco"
at Bubbio. During the summer in all villages of the province,
among patron saints' days and fairs there are moments of
festivities and moments of culture. Among the theatrical
events, we point out the "National Asti Theater Festival"
held in the main town and the "Teatro e Colline"
at Calamandrana. Musical events include the series of concerts
"Musica nelle Pievi" in some of the most beautiful
romanesque churches in the provimce and "Asti Musica"
in the splendid framework of the cathedral square in Asti.
In September, the Asti province celebrates "Douja d'Or",
the national wine festival where you can taste the best
wines produced nationally and locally. There is also the
"Festival delle Sagre" in which more than 40 villages
of the province reenact the peasant life of Monferrato and
display all their typical dishes in the village specially
reconstructured for the occasion. The "Palio"
is celebrated on the third Sunday of September. This is
the most ancient horse race in Italy, with thousands of
participants in 13th century style costumes, colourful flag
bearers and very emotional horse races. From October to
December, ideal excursions throughout the province include
the Truffle Fairs which start with Montiglio Monferrato,
followed by Moncalvo, Montechiaro, Canelli, Asti, to name
only the main events. Protaganist
of these fairs, naturally, is the precious tuber as well
as typical autumnal products such as mushrooms, honey, etc.
and there are many opportunities for cultural visits. Autumn
is also the time when wine effervesces in the vats and this
means other moments of festivity and tasting. We point out
Calosso with a suggestive visit to the "Crutin",
the wine cellars, Incisa, Costigliole, where you can taste
Barbera of more than 300 producers, and Calamandrana. We
close, so to speak, with December and the fairs dedicated
to the "Bue Grasso" (fattened ox) at Moncalvo,
and the Capon at Vesime. There are also very many other
events during the year: guided tours to castles from May
to October; antique markets at Asti, Nizza Monferrato, Canelli
and Moncalvo; winter theatrical events, not only in the
towns but also in small provincial theatres; musical events
in many churches, often providing the opportunity to discover
hidden artistic gems.
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