Saint Martin walk between history, legends and bottles of new wine. The bishop of Tours he is patron of the Swiss Guards pontificals, beggars, knights and betrayed. The Catholic Church remembers the liturgical memorial on 11 November and is also venerated by the Copts and the Orthodox. Born in 316 or 317 AD, a native of Pannonia (now Hungary), he is the founder of Western monasticism; and he is one of the first saints that the Church proclaimed but who did not suffer martyrdom. To make him famous is the episode of the cloak that makes it the emblem of generosity, of solidarity with the weakest.
San Martino and the episode of the cloak
According to the writings concerning him, the saint meets a beggar dressed in rags during a storm. Then he doesn't hesitate to give him half of his cloak to get him sheltered from the elements. During his journey he meets a second beggar and without thinking twice gives him what was left of his mantle.
After this umpteenth gesture of generosity, the sky clears up and the storm suddenly stops, giving way to the sun and a mild temperature. Hence the expression 'Indian summer' which is attributed to the good weather that usually occurs in the days before and after the feast of the saint, buried in Tours in France.
Cheers with the new wine
As per tradition by now ingrained in San Martino the barrels are uncorked because the must has finally become wine. The first taste of wine novello is a party for wineries all over Italy: the leitmotif of food and wine events based on fruity glasses and autumn first fruits. Throughout the beautiful country the summer festivals of San Martino attract enthusiasts and connoisseurs of good food, as well as of course good wine.
Among roasted chestnuts, mushrooms, delicious snacks and delicious tastings, there is no shortage of historical processions, craft exhibitions, and many other initiatives that revive the classic customs of the various territories. Old and new traditions that renew every year a ritual that is lost in the mists of time: honoring San Martino with a good glass of new wine.
