New Wine Day
San Martino, a Saint day to celebrate new wine, sweets and warm weather, is celebrated today, 11 November. Every day in Italy celebrates a saint, but some are more popular than others…of course a saint day which pays homage to wine and warm weather is worth a festa in my opinion!
This backstory of San Martino comes from an episode when, as a Roman soldier, he met a poor man and had nothing to offer him except his cloak. He split his cloak in half and wrapped it around the homeless man. That evening in his dreams, he was visited by Jesus wearing the half cloak who thanked him for his compassionate gesture. The next day, he quit the army and devoted his life to helping others, specifically hardworking peasants in the countryside.
Immediately after presenting his cloak to the homeless man, the weather changed from cold and rainy to sunshine and heat. It is this moment that sparked the phrase ‘Estate San Martino', The Summer of San Martino, a short period of time during the first weeks of November characterised by relatively good, warm weather. As we say in California, an Indian Summer. It is the last gasp of warmth before the land rests for winter. The weather has in fact been gloriously warm…thank you, San Martino!
How does San Martino connect to ‘new wine’? A matter of timing really. November 11 (or early November) is historically when vintners renew contracts and celebrate the year’s hard work by opening and sharing wine. San Martino, devoting himself to helping countryside peasant workers, became a celebrated saint for those involved in wine making.
As with all Saint Days, each region celebrates differently. Most country hamlets and small towns still keep the tradition alive and you can find local festivals with special celebrations and dishes. In our Tuscany, we have the release launch of Brunello wine and in our Abruzzo, bonfires accompany the opening of new wine. Venice celebrates with colorfully decorated cookies and cakes in the shape of San Martino on his horse offering his cloak paired with wine. Sicily offers 'La Muffuletta di San Martino', a sort of soft round bread batch filled covered with sesame seeds and filled with salumi and cheeses or even anchovies. Palermo feasts on biscuits of San Martino are called 'sammartinelli'. They are a little bit like English scones and can be filled with ricotta cheese and enjoyed dipped wet in Moscato wine. In the region of Le Marche at Monte San Martino they feast on a ravioli pasta dish filled with pink apple sauce with their new wine. Yum!
As we sit in the warm Italian countryside, we will open a new wine. Not that we need this holiday to do so, but traditions call for it. We will also pair our wine with a tasty new treat. Join us, salute!
If you are interested in adding ‘new wine’ to your holiday festivities, we are happy to personal shop our wines to you. Send us an email today so we can ship ASAP.
Post Image: San Martino fresco by Simone Martini
