Mid-September into October is a fantastic time to explore and enjoy Tuscany
Many people will agree that autumn is the best time to visit Tuscany. The school holiday tourists have gone home, and the searing hot days become milder. As the weather cools off, the colors of autumn awaken, the grape leaves turn gold, then russet, and the countryside becomes a photographer’s dream.
Mid-September into October is a fantastic time to explore the region. The days are warm and the nights are cool. Every town seems to have a harvest festival, and there is great celebration in the air. There are opportunities to go truffle and mushroom hunting and the food as you might expect is fantastic. And of course you must try a truffle or porcini mushroom pasta in Tuscany as they are incredible!
In most Mediterranean areas, olives are harvested in the months of November, December and January. But in Tuscany, where cooler valleys are sometimes touched with early frosts, the harvest can begin as early as the end of September. Early harvest means that the fruit is less ripe, and therefore produces less oil, making Tuscan olive oils a bit more rare than others. The less ripe olives also account for the prized peppery taste of Tuscan oil. Tuscans love this unique oil, and its arrival is always cause for celebration.
Ah Vino! September is the month of the grape harvest and of the many celebrations dedicated to it. La Vendemmia. In some southern areas, grapes are ready for harvesting in August, and towards the more Northern regions, it can take up until November for the grapes to be ready. Basically comes down to ripening of the grape, it must have the right level of sweetness. In Tuscany, the grape harvest happens in September, and is therefore big on the agenda for a region to which wine is very important. If you are lucky enough to be in Tuscany during this time of year, check out some of the many Harvest Wine Festivals in Tuscany.
Severe weather of extreme heat and drought continues to affect Europeans across the continent and peninsula, thus having tempered growers’ optimism for the 2022 and 2023 harvest in Italy. The rains which have come were mostly in the form of storms, and did not reach the deepest layers of the soil. But the vines benefitted nonetheless and ripening was suddenly accelerated in the end after a veraison that came early for most. The health of the grapes is considered excellent at this moment.
Despite a slight reduction in quantity, quality is still expected to be from very good to excellent – and the harvest result will be full bodied, interesting and powerful wines in latest vintages.
As with the direction the climate is changing, so will the enjoyment of the wines we drink. While there are no big quantities coming out of Tuscany right now, quality is at its best… although you will likely see those factors cause price increases. The bottles will soon speak for themselves.
You will hear many different opinions on when is the best time and season to travel to Tuscany, to rent a villa or farmhouse, discover and taste Tuscan wines and incredible food, and celebrate the wonderful festivals. To many, autumn is the best time to do so. The season signifies the Italian lifestyle in Italy so well. Great food, fine wine, with good company enjoyed and celebrated together.
If you want help planning the ultimate Tuscan experience, contact Luxo Italia.
HAPPY HARVEST TO ALL!