Oktoberfest Italian Style: l’Ombralonga 2009 in Treviso

So you were sitting at home the other night watching the nightly news and they did a report on Oktoberfest kicking off in Munich and you saw millions of happy people singing German drinking songs, making toasts with large steins of beer and though…”I missed it again!” Well, don’t worry, you can still celebrate, but in Italy and with wine instead of beer.

Every year, thousands of people flock to a little known celebration in Treviso Italy that celebrates the DOC wine of the area. This year the event happens on October 18th. L’Ombralonga is a festival that lasts all week and leads up the final Sunday when the wine becomes the center of attention and the historic city center takes on a look of Oktoberfest rather than a peaceful Sunday fall afternoon.

The deal is this: for a nominal fee you can get the full kit or the half kit (usually around €20 for the full kit and €10 for the half kit) you have the opportunity to drink DOC wine all day until 6pm. With the full kit you usually get a collectible smock and glass, with the half kit you usually get a little pouch to hang around your neck and the glass. Then feel free to visit the 50+ stands and sample different wine from different producers. Usually the choice is only red or white, and I’ll be honest, it’s not the best wine, but the afternoon is full of fun and adventure as you wonder slowly through the streets of Treviso drinking wine and eating porchetta sandwiches and salami. Be sure to get your map of the city center with all of the vendors labeled. The vendors for the event will be selling wine cheap, the other bars and places that will be open will be selling wine, but at their price!

if you decide to attend get there early so that you can get your kit. The wine vendors won’t serve you unless you have the collectible glass from the year, or from year’s past. If you have the glass from year’s past, then you can save yourself the money of the new one and pay only the minimal fee for the wine (usually €1-€1.50/glass). My girlfriend and I can easily enjoy ourselves for €20.

Be careful, the police will be in attendance and everything will shut down promptly at 6pm.

How to get there: Go to Treviso, and then head for the historic center. If you’re driving follow the signs that look like a bulls-eye, if you take the train: just follow the crowd.

1 places are mentioned in this post!

1. Treviso TV

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