The heart of Alto Oltrepò Pavese is ready to once again host one of the most eagerly awaited gastronomic events of the year: the third edition of ‘Che Salame! Varzi PDO - Festival of Varzi PDO Salami‘. Organised by the Consorzio di Tutela del Salame di Varzi (Varzi Salami Protection Consortium), with the support of the MASAF (Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry) and in collaboration with the ONAS (National Organisation of Salami Tasters), the event will be held on Sunday 16 June 2024 in the picturesque town of Varzi.
A Dive into Tradition
The event is not only a celebration of Salame di Varzi DOP, but a journey into the history and culture of one of Italy‘s gastronomic excellences. The festival will take place in the historic cellars of the village and the enchanting Malaspina Castle. The streets of Varzi will come alive with stalls selling typical products and street food stations, offering visitors a unique and engaging experience.
Programme of the Day
The day will start at 10 a.m. in the courtyard of the Malaspina Castle with the official inauguration of the festival, followed by the opening of the cellars to the public. This symbolic moment will kick off a series of activities designed for lovers of good food and wine.
Masterclasses and Tastings
Two unmissable masterclasses will be held in the Sala Faustino Odetti of the Malaspina Castle, both open to the public and dedicated to discovering the unique characteristics of Salame di Varzi DOP.
- Horizontal Tasting (10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.): The first masterclass includes a horizontal tasting of three types of Salame di Varzi DOP, paired with Bonarda wine from the "La Mossa Perfetta" project. Andrea Donzelli, ONAS Lombardy Delegate, will guide participants through the techniques for tasting the salami, while Giulio Fiamberti will illustrate the peculiarities of the paired wines.
- Vertical Tasting (15:00 - 16:30): In the afternoon, a vertical tasting will offer the opportunity to taste three different maturations of Salame di Varzi DOP "Cucito", accompanied by Spumante Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico Millesimato DOCG "1870 Giorgi". Giancarlo Baruffi, an expert in the sector, will recount the centuries-old history of this cured meat, whose roots date back to the Lombard period and which in the 12th century adorned the tables of the Malaspina marquises. Andrea Donzelli will return to explain tasting techniques, highlighting the characteristics of the different maturations.
A Day of Taste and Tradition
Throughout the day, visitors can buy Salame di Varzi DOP directly from the producers in the historic cellars and stroll through the streets of the village to discover the market of typical products and street food. This festival is not only an opportunity to taste delicacies, but also to get to know and appreciate the traditions that make Salame di Varzi DOP unique.
The Excellence of Salame di Varzi PDO
Salame di Varzi PDO has gained increasing popularity over time, becoming a sought-after and appreciated product not only in Italy, but also abroad. Currently, the Consorzio del Salame di Varzi has 11 producers distributed in the municipalities of Varzi, Val di Nizza, Romagnese, Fortunago, Cecima, Colli Verdi, Montesegale and Menconico. These producers have the task of preserving and enhancing a very ancient tradition, whose origins date back to the Middle Ages.
Salame di Varzi PDO is distinguished by its unique flavour, the result of artisan processing handed down from generation to generation. The carefully selected meat is stuffed into natural casings and left to mature in cellars with an ideal microclimate, giving the salami an unmistakable flavour.
