Pienza's cheese fair, started in 1974 on the initiative of the Pro Loco's first president: pecorino stalls and local food, demonstrations and children's activities, and the Cacio al Fuso game, in which the town's six contrade roll pecorino wheels toward a spindle in Piazza Pio II.
Aged Pecorino Toscano is firm and fragrant, with a sweet rather than salty taste. Chianti's high acidity and cherry fruit cut through the paste, and the cheese's mildness leaves the wine's grip intact.
A semi-aged Pienza is slightly savoury with herbal notes, an aged one intense and well salted. Vino Nobile, Sangiovese with high acidity and a tannic grip, handles the salt and keeps the herbal notes in view.
The stagionato and da asserbo (6 to over 12 months) are firm, herbal and peppery. Gran Selezione, the top Chianti Classico tier, is full-bodied with firm tannin and high acidity, so a wheel of that age is not overwhelmed.
Address: Piazza Pio II, 53026 Pienza (SI), Tuscany
Annual programme of the Pecorino Toscano DOP consortium: free guided visits to a few member dairies, among them Busti, Il Fiorino and Caseificio Sociale Manciano, showing how the cheese is made. Each dairy sets its own visit dates and takes bookings by its own contact.
Guided visit of the Fiorino dairy and its natural ageing grotto, then a tasting of four pecorini with fresh ricotta, honey and preserves, bread and a glass of sparkling wine. The 4-hour Sulle Vie della Transumanza route (60 EUR) adds a tour of medieval Roccalbegna and six pecorini. By reservation only.
Guided routes through the Busti dairy, each ending with a tasting. Four formats: Nonna Emma (4 cheeses), La Pec (3 cheeses with La Pec ricotta), Pecorino Toscano DOP (4 cheeses and Tuscan charcuterie) and Grotte (5 cheeses and a hot first course, plus the ageing cave visit). Minimum 2 participants.
Tasting of four wines with a board of four cheeses, or a guided tour of the winery and dairy (the dairy is seen from outside) followed by the tasting. Tastings and visits run Monday to Saturday by reservation, for up to 20 people; tours leave at 11:00 and 16:00, the afternoon one in summer only for the larger board.
Three-hour visit to a working sheep dairy, seeing cheese processing and tasting Pienza pecorino at different stages of ageing. Booked through the Strada del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which lists departures at 10:30 or 16:00; Visit Tuscany lists the operator as Valdichiana Living and a 13:00 slot. Transport on request.
The farm lists a cheese-making demonstration and a tasting tour among its activities, and each class includes a guided tour of the farm and dairy. Prices for the cooking classes are given on request.
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