Salice DOC Wine and Ciciri e Tria Festival

A festival that tells the story of Salento through its food

The Salice DOC Wine and Ciciri e Tria Festival is one of the most beloved food and wine events of the Salento summer. Held in Salice Salentino, a town in the province of Lecce in the heart of Puglia, it brings back to the square the two products that best define this region: Salice Salentino DOC wine, born from the patient bond between the vine and the red soil of Salento, and ciciri e tria, a signature dish of the local farming tradition.

Ciciri e tria, a dish of memory

Ciciri e tria is the true star of the table: tria is a handmade fresh pasta, cut into strips, which is partly boiled and partly fried in extra virgin olive oil, then mixed with ceci (chickpeas, or ciciri). The contrast between the crispy and soft pasta, combined with the flavor of the legumes, encapsulates centuries of humble yet masterful cooking. To accompany it, a glass of local Negroamaro DOC creates a pairing that is pure Salento identity.

More than just a dish: a journey of flavors

During the evenings, the town streets become a taste itinerary: from crispy pittule to horse meat, grilled vegetables, and honey-based desserts, every stand tells a story of genuine flavors passed down through generations. The event promotes the historical and cultural heritage of the municipality by highlighting the Mediterranean diet, with local companies showcasing organic, DOC, and IGP products: pasta, wine, olive oil, and eggs.

Folk music and conviviality

The soundtrack of the festival is the pizzica: traditional music, tarantellas, and tambourines enliven the evenings, turning them into an authentic celebration of Southern identity. Between one bite and the next, the infectious rhythm of the pizzica invites everyone to dance, creating that atmosphere of sharing that makes the festival a true community moment.

A community event in Salice

The festival is organized by the Pro Loco of Salice Salentino APS together with the Cantina Cooperativa of Salice Salentino, under the patronage of the Municipality, the Puglia Region, the Province of Lecce, the Consortium for the Protection of Salice Salentino DOP, and the UNPLI Pro Loco Puglia. The event is held on the outer courtyard of the Cantina Cooperativa, a symbolic location that ties the celebration to the town's winemaking vocation.