San Zeno Marrone Gains DOP Status; Wine and Marroni Pairing Contest

The “Marrone di San Zeno” has recently received the recognition of “Protected Designation of Origin”. This addition places it alongside three other DOP products of the same origin. They are Garda extra virgin olive oil, Monte Veronese cheese, and “Terra dei Forti” wines.

From November 1 to 4, San Zeno di Montagna, a picturesque town in Trentino on Lake Garda, will celebrate the event during the twenty-ninth Marroni Market Exhibition, a traditional gastronomic fair organized by the Associazione Castanicoltori del Monte Baldo Veronese.

The contest between Marroni and wine

The new feature is the contest for the best pairing of Marroni and Wine: no wine connoisseur will decide which wine is most suitable. Instead, during the four days of celebration, a popular jury will vote for their favorite wine among Recioto della Valpolicella, Malvasia di Castelnuovo Don Bosco, and Sagrantino di Montefalco Passito.

The idea of having the public choose the best pairing originated from a collaboration with the Seminario Permanente Luigi Veronelli, which organized a real “blind tasting”: on a tray, there will be a small bowl of roasted marroni and three anonymous glasses containing the competing wines.

On Sunday, the ballot count and the announcement of the winner will take place.