Polpenazze Wine Fair Highlights: Awards, Traditions, and Olive Oil
It was up to Hon. Adriano Paroli to officially inaugurate the 51st edition of the «Fiera del Vino Doc Garda Classico» in Polpenazze. The ceremony took place in front of a large, traditional vat overflowing with grapes, with a packed audience of political and economic figures from our province as witnesses. To emphasize the positive spirit of the town’s celebration — a commemoration and reaffirmation of local traditions — the Polpenazze Civic Band and the «Carata» Folklore Group could not be missing.
The members of the latter, all dressed in traditional «once upon a time» costumes, did not limit themselves to being mere extras but actively helped the organizers ensure the event’s success. They also served dishes prepared with recipes handed down through generations, still unmatched today, such as cooked salami, beans with pig’s trotters, omelettes, bread with pork cracklings, and Garda Doc wine.
Activities and Celebrations
Additionally, spit-roasted dishes with polenta and other delicacies from the local culinary tradition were served. After the Mass, celebrated by parish priest Don Roberto, official speeches were given, and certificates were awarded to wine and oil producers who, surpassing the score thresholds set by various regulations, earned the «excellent» rating.
These included: the «43rd Palio del Garda Classico Rosso Doc» with 10 selected and awarded companies; the «25th Gran Premio Marescalchi Rosso Superiore» with 11 finalists; the «8th Palio del Garda Classico Bianco Doc» with 9 winners; the «7th Chiaretto Selection» with 9 awarded; and the «7th Groppello Selection» with 13 finalists.
Awards and Oil Exhibition
For the 5th edition of the Lombard Lakes extra virgin olive oil exhibition, which has finally been granted the Dop certification, 11 Valtenesi companies were awarded in the third selection. President Giuseppe Turrina, after thanking the participants (28 wineries with tasting zones and 35 in the «Corte degli Assaggi»), highlighted the significance of this event, which attracts over 35,000 visitors to Polpenazze every year.
«We hope — he said — that this over-half-century-old fair will be officially recognized as an important vehicle for the agricultural economy of Garda, which is now mainly oriented towards wine and olive oil production. Its strict wine and oil competitions and selections — Turrina continued — serve solely to motivate producers to continually improve product quality».
Today is the last day of the fair: stands close at 11 p.m.