Thursday, December 13, 2012
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Chianti Per Gli Amanti
Del Vino: A Guide to Chianti for
Wine Lovers
Chianti is one of the most famous regions
of Tuscany and is sure to be top of any wine fanatic’s list of destinations
when visiting Italy. The borders of Chianti are not specifically defined but
generally it lies between the regions of Florence and Siena and stretches as
far as the Valdarno to the east and the Val d’Elsa to the west. Every year thousands of tourists flock to
Chianti - whether they are wine lovers or not - and with so much beauty and
adventure packed into a small area, it won’t just be the wine that knocks you
back. The history of wine making in Chianti can be traced back to before Roman
times. Historians know that the Etruscans not only cultivated their own vines
but created wines that were well received throughout the region. So whether
you’re crazy about Chianti Classico or you like to rage about Rufina, how do
you make sure that you don’t miss out on anything?
Plan
your route
If you are going to get the most out your
holiday, you will need to travel around. Using a Tuscan villa as your base is a
great idea as you will be closer to most of the vine yards that provide the
beautiful backdrop to this region. Hiring a car is a great way to cover as much
ground as possible but if you are planning on really taking advantage of the
delicious wines on offer then you may have to alternate the driving duties.
Alternatively, you could let somebody else do the driving and take buses
between the towns and villages. Do some research before you get out there
though. Some of the wine tours may need to be booked in advance and it’s also
best to check when certain vineyards will be open to the public.
So…where
to start?
There are so many vineyards in Chianti that
it is impossible to see them all. You will have the chance to experience a true
taste of Tuscany through products from vineyards that are small, big, old and
new so you will need to earmark a few before you set out. The town of Greve
offers the perfect place to start as it is known as the gateway of Chianti.
Here you will find various wineries that will allow you to sample their products
as well as plenty of wine bars and shops that let you do the same. One
highlight of these has to be Le Cantine which has hundreds of different wines
to whet your whistle. On the outskirts of Greve are two other places that are
definitely worth a look. The Castello di Vicchiomaggio is home to over 100
hectares of grape vines and offers custom made tours of the grounds. Similarly,
the Castello di Verrazzano will give you the chance to experience a variety of
different tasting tours of their cellars. If by now you have had your fill of
Chianti Classico then why not head to the Val de Sieve for a sample of
Chianti’s wonderful Rufina. This valley will even give you a helping hand on
your journey of discovery by highlighting its many vineyards with signs that
read ‘Strade Del Vino di Toscana’.
An
overflowing glass
In truth, Chianti offers far too much for
the wine lover to see and do in one trip alone. This region will leave you
wanting more and there will always be something to bring you back. The examples
above are just the tip of the grape vine and therefore to really appreciate
this beautiful area you may have to make Chianti an annual retreat. So why not
rebook your Tuscan villa for next year and refill your glass again and again?
Labels: Tuscany Villas
posted by To Tuscany @ 11:31 PM
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