This weekend (11 & 12 May 2019) saw the annual MEDITaggiasca olive oil festival in Taggia, a town on the Italian Riviera about seven kilometres from Sanremo. It is a small historical town, and not very well-known. But almost all Italians will know its adjective, Taggiasca, because Taggiasca olives are considered some of the finest in the country. These small, dark olives produce a delicate, sweet and aromatic oil. Taggiasca olive oil always complements rather than overpowers the food it accompanies.
This is the first of the summer's food festivals across the Riviera. Every city and town holds some kind of a festival (sagra in Italian, fête or salon in French). Sometimes they are dedicated to a specific produce, while others are general opportunities to showcase the best of the region. Every weekend from now until the Autumn will see food festivals, making this an exciting time to visit the region. Winter is quieter, but not without its fun. Carnival season in February sees a lemon festival in Menton, and March brings La Fête de la Violette to Tourrettes-sur-Loup with myriad products made from local violet flowers. Seasonality and locality are very important on the Riviera. Restaurant menus change with the seasons. One of the delights of exploring this region is to learn what to eat, when to eat it, and which towns specialise in which products. Visiting Taggia is a pleasure, and not only during the olive oil festival. The town was a Roman settlement (some villa ruins remain), and in the Middle Ages it became an important stop on the Via Aurelia route that connects Rome with Spain, via Southern France. Taggia's Convent of San Domenico is home to important artworks from the Renaissance. The historic centre is intact and unspoilt.
Taggia's oil festival has officially kicked off the season of the festivals on the Riviera. So come join in the fun this Summer!
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