For one day Mezzomerico becomes the capital of wine. Tomorrow the small town on the slopes of the Novara hills hosts a program of tastings, itineraries and displays that celebrate one of the most prestigious products of the area.
The event organized by the Municipality with Pro loco and wineries is due to the recognition of Alto Piedmont and Gran Monferrato as the European City of Wine 2024. In the list of twenty Piedmontese municipalities included in this network of excellence there is also Mezzomerico, which took the opportunity to organize a new showcase.
The initiative is designed to promote local activities that operate in this sector by enhancing the labels and potential of a landscape of history, culture and nature. The start of «Mezzomerico European city of wine 2024» starts at 9.30 with the inauguration in Piazza del Municipio and the opening of the cash desk for the rental of glasses to be used during the itinerant tastings in the local cellars (Filadora, Vigneti Giustina, Il Roccolo, Enrico Crola and Delfrate Stefano) and in the dedicated areas without the need for reservations.
With ancient coins
To participate it is necessary to purchase the Tremissi at the box office, the ancient Lombard gold coins also found in Mezzomerico in the past, replicas of which were printed specifically for this initiative. At the exchange rate set by the promoters, a Tremisse is worth 3 euros and generally entitles you to a glass of wine of your choice (some require 2). With 2 other Tremissi you pay the deposit to receive the official glass of the event to be returned at the end of the tour. From 9.45am you can also access the wine shop set up in the association room and the «Stories and tales» exhibition in the council room.
The giant bench
At 10am the free access walks start among the vineyards and to discover the big bench, the giant bench installed a couple of months ago with a view of the hills and the town centre. There is also an itinerary guided by FAI volunteers with meeting at 11 in Piazza del Municipio. To join the cellar visits, which continue in the afternoon until 4pm, you need to book on the mezzomerico.online website, which can also be consulted to find out all the day’s proposals in detail. The agenda of food and wine events includes a picnic among the rows at 11.30 for 300 people, lunches at the Barlafus and Rià restaurants and a “starred” tribute to Paniscia. The symbolic dish of the Novara tradition is cooked by chef Marco Sacco in 200 portions in his legendary giant pot called «Guendalina». Also for these proposals it is necessary to register on the website. At 3pm the historical re-enactment of a wedding ceremony will be announced with the enchantment of cakes in support of the nursery, from 4pm the games of the past and at 6pm the concert of the school children’s choir.
Throughout the day you can board a train that leads to the cellars along the streets of the murals, a project created with the collaboration of the Academy of Arts and the painted wall: in recent years on the facades of some buildings in the town fresco paintings on the theme of the role of women in the world of agriculture.
There is also a station of the Aisphem association which supports scientific research on Phelan-McDermid syndrome. The parking area is located at the municipal sports field in via Oleggio.
