NEW EXPERIENCES BETWEEN TYPICAL FLAVOURS AND HISTORICAL ITINERARIES

On 31 October and 1 November, plenty of ideas to bring the city to life on the long run-up to the Valtellina Wine Trail

Wine takes centre stage, but so do apples, grain, chestnuts, mushrooms, oil and pizzoccheri, alongside nature, sport and entertainment, in the “Vie del gusto”, the event organised by the Municipality of Sondrio taking place on Saturday 31 October, from 9am to 10pm, and on Sunday 1 November, from 9am to 7pm. Itineraries that satisfy the palate, refresh the mind and warm the heart—engaging all five senses—taking you through the city and the surrounding areas. An event built around “Formaggi in piazza”, the market show of raw-milk cheeses, in the year of its 20th anniversary, expanded to include other local excellence from the agri-food supply chain, right up to reconnecting with wine, which becomes the main attraction, accompanying residents and tourists—many of whom are runners, competitors and enthusiasts—towards the Valtellina Wine Trail. Every stop is a discovery and an experience to be lived: the locations are the ancient palaces, the streets, the squares and two symbols—one historic, the Torre ligariana, and one modern, the footbridge over the Cassandre. “With Vie del gusto we’ve built the event we wanted, reflecting the distinctive features of our area, focusing on the quality of the proposals, with the aim of showcasing and bringing the city to life—explains the Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Productive Activities and Events Francesca Canovi—. This has been made possible thanks to the collaboration and support of institutions and associations, with whom we’ve worked in close partnership to put together a programme that will involve residents and attract tourists, shining a spotlight on Sondrio during the weekend leading up to the Valtellina Wine Trail. Our hope is that it will appeal to different audiences, from children to young people and adults, to whom we’re speaking: in Sondrio it will be a big celebration, and everyone is invited.”

Two intense days, packed with ideas and prompts for experiencing the city and seeing it in a different light. The zero-kilometre cheeses from the show, with the chance to meet the producers; mushrooms and mycology in the courtyard of the Angelo Custode; the solidarity chestnut festival in Piazza Campello; the Via dei Palazzi brought to life by artisan workshops, with a tasting route between typical processes and the excellence of local tradition—right through to the grain from Albosaggia, which becomes traditional bread, and a stroll among the olive trees: a gentle trek to the footbridge over the Cassandre, which tastes of oil. Stories and tastings of the Bernina; the Valtellinese apple with an intense, bright pink hue, selected by the Fondazione Fojanini, showcased in the pomological exhibition at Palazzo Pretorio. And there’s more: pizzoccheri in the square, with the Accademia del Pizzocchero di Teglio; a taste experience bringing together Valtellina, Cilento and Sicily, curated by Consorzio Turistico Sondrio e Valmalenco and Apf Valtellina; and the Sondrio Wine Tower Run, the race up the steps to the top of the Torre ligariana. Wine takes the podium from the opening of Saturday 31 October, with the conference on wine tourism, organised in collaboration with the Associazione Nazionale Città del Vino, before continuing with “Wine art in cantina”, strolls along the Via dei Palazzi, through the old quarters of Sondrio and in the historic centre, ending with tastings in the cellar paired with artistic experiences. In Piazza Garibaldi, music will be there too—on Saturday evening with the show “Voglio tornare negli anni ’90”—as well as workshops and entertainment for families in the afternoon.

Vie del gusto is powered by collaborations and contributions: from the Municipalities of Montagna in Valtellina and Albosaggia to Confartigianato Imprese Sondrio; from the Fondazione Fojanini to the Associazione Nazionale Città del Vino and Recevin; from Le Village by Crédit Agricole to the Fondazione Albosaggia with the Associazione Fondiaria Foreste Orobiche Media Valtellina, right up to the Valtellina Wine Trail. With the support of Regione Lombardia, Province, Bim and Acinque.

The Vie del gusto programme is published in detail on the website www.visitasondrio.it, with updates on the official social channels, and promoted via posters and brochures.