According to Italy Magazine:

On the 11th of November, Italy celebrates San Martino, St. Martin, a soldier of the Roman Empire who became a Saint for his great humility and generosity.

The story goes that while he was riding at the gates of the city of Amiens with his soldiers, he met a poor, freezing beggar, cut his own military cloak in half and shared it with him. That same night he dreamt of Jesus wearing the half-cloak he had given to the poor man and thanking him for his compassionate gesture.

It is also said that at the moment he shared his cloak, the sun came out and that is why what in the U.K. and the U.S. is known as Indian summer, in Italy is called Estate di San Martino: a short period of time during the first weeks of November characterised by relatively good, warm weather.

This is also the right moment of the year to try “novello” wine (new wine); as the old Italian saying reminds us, “A San Martino ogni mosto diventa vino” (On S. Martin’s day, all “wine must” turns into wine).

Festivals and celebrations are organised throughout Italy, with people usually preparing the typical “zeppole or frittelle di San Martino” and drinking vino novello.

We did both!