Events in Aosta Valley: Aosta, Wine Expo 2011

For over thirty years the wine companies of Aosta Valley, from Caves Cooperatives to private producers, put their excellent produce on display. The event that takes lace in Aosta gives producers a chance to present their finest wines, such as Blanc de Morgex and De La Salle, produced in vineyards which climb from 800m to 1200m, the highest in Europe. However the event is also an occasion where visitors can taste these excellent wines and purchase them directly from the producers.

During the wine expo stalls are present with wines originating from the Concorso Internazionale Vini di Montagna (International Mountain Wine Competition) promoted by CERVIM (stands for Centre of Research, Study, Safeguarding, Coordination and Valuing of Mountain Wine production), as well as stands with genuine agricultural food produce.

Among produce surely to be available is Fontina cheese, and Jambon de Bosses, a type of Parma ham with aromatic herbs from the mountains, which has been produced since the 14th century at 1600m altitude at Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses, in the Gran San Bernardo Valley. Another produce which must be tasted is Lardo d'Arnad (Arnad Lard), which is obtained thanks to a method which dates as far back as 1763 and is seasoned for at least three months in special chestnut wood or oak containers in a special mixture of salt, spices and herbs from the mountains.

These local specialities are celebrated yearly in a village food fest. The sagra (or feast/food fest) of Prosciutto di Bosses (Bosses ham) takes place at Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses on the second Sunday of July, while Lardo d'Arnad food fest takes place on the last week-end of August in Arnad, in the village of Keya.