Bergamo Underground Tours and Wine Celebrations Highlight Confraternita del Groppello
A tour beneath the city of Bergamo’s historic underground: this is the proposal put forward by the newly elected president of the Confraternita del Groppello, Diego Pasini, during the recent members’ assembly held at Grillo Parlante in Soiano.
This proposal was immediately well received by the approximately 60 attendees (out of 92 members), a significant number that may also reflect an appreciation for the new direction taken by the organization with the appointment of the new council, which will serve the next two years.
Diego Pasini and his vice Adelmo Predari also highlighted the significance of this year 2000, which, besides marking the end of the second millennium, also commemorates the thirtieth anniversary of the organization’s founding, which took place “at Casa Bosatta” in Padenghe on the evening of October 27, 1970.
The thirtieth anniversary and celebrations
A thirty-year period marked by the motto of the barrel and the bunch of grapes, “In labore fructus et in triclinio laetitia”, during which one of the finest wines not only of Garda but also of the entire national production landscape has been promoted and celebrated.
In addition to approving the 1999 financial statement, the board of directors outlined, through its representatives, the main events planned for the current year, starting with Sunday, April 9th, a spring festival that will include visits beneath the streets and into the corridors of Bergamo Alta.
The group of Groppello enthusiasts will be led by members of the Le Nottole association, who will provide historical insights about the underground tunnels of one of Italy’s most beautiful cities.
In June, the traditional summer festival will take place, during which the 30th anniversary of the organization’s foundation will also be celebrated.
In October, there will be the Palio del Groppello, a final selection among the three best Groppelli, resulting from earlier competitions among the wines presented by various producers.
Among these three Groppelli, anonymously offered for tasting by members, the one that will best accompany the official events regulated by the Confraternita statutes will be chosen. This wine will also be bottled (between 3,000 and 5,000 bottles) with official labels and collars, then sold to members and supporters.
In December, on the 2nd, the Christmas greetings evening will be held, during which new members will be inducted.
President Pasini also expressed hope for increased collaboration with other confraternities and wine associations in Lombardy and the Garda area, with particular reference to the Castellani del Chiaretto and the Priorato del Lugana.
Collaborations and acknowledgments
For some years now, a sort of collaboration and exchange of wines has been underway with the “friends” of Lugana: Lugana served as an aperitif at Groppello food and wine evenings, while Groppello was featured at events organized by the Priorato.
Finally, a note of praise goes to the cuisine of Alessandro and Rosalba Polver, who have presented various dishes prepared using the best local products from Valtenesi, including a truly marvelous “boned kid goat prepared with Groppello and polenta.”
