Merano is a city situated in the northern part of Italy. Even though it is surrounded by snow-peaked mountains, the city is conveniently nestled in a valley which ensures that it stays cool in the summer, and mild in the winter.
The city is sometimes referred to as the ‘City of Flowers’ for its amazing spread of flowers across its various promenades.
What Merano is also known for is its yearly grape festival which is celebrated every October to see out the end of the grape harvest.
Celebrated since 1924, the grape festival is indeed an extravagant and all-out gala – houses are decorated, bunches of grapes are hung out in the streets, and plenty of food and, of course, plenty of wine, is to be had – it wouldn’t be a grape festival, would it, if there wasn’t plenty of wine to be had!
The festival is also used to honour the memory of an historical hero, Marcantonio Colonna, who returned triumphant from the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. So in his honour, for a short period (for about an hour), wine is poured into fountains – yes!, wine quite literally flows from the fountains of Merano instead of water! Marcantonio must have been quite a man indeed to foster such a time-honoured gesture.
Now imagine this: lots of music floating in the air and plenty of dancing; people and marching bands parading through the city, dressed in traditional costumes, some parading on moving decorated floats or carriages drawn by Haflinger horses (small elegant chestnut-coated horses).
Well, you don’t have to (imagine). You could actually be there – make it part of your Italian wine tour, perhaps?
And here’s an added incentive, you might be pleased to know that Merano also holds a Doughnut Festival every October. Yes! You’re that lucky! Enjoy!
(img by: Jaci Berkopec)