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Visiting the Wineries of Tuscany
Picturesque Tuscany, one of Italy's twenty wine
regions, is classic wine country,
and the origin of some of the world's most
popular red wines. The relatively high altitude,
hillside Tuscan vineyards, with high temperature
fluctuations and harsh winters, provide
high-quality wines.
The vineyards of Tuscany's four main wine
districts are buzzing with activity during La
Vendemmia, the autumn grape harvest. The weather
at this time of year is just perfect for touring
the back roads ofChianti,
Carmignano, Montalcino and Montepulciano. And
you can dine at many of the wineries, cafes or
small restaurants and taste delicious cheeses,
olives and breads, while sampling the wines.
Carmignano, on the slopes of Mount Albano, just
to the west of Florence, has a history of more
than 2,500 years of wine production. Here wines
are made with a blend of Sangiovese,
Canaiolo, Cabernet and Sauvignon grapes,
including Barco Reale di Carmignano, the
Carmignano Rosato, and the Carmignano Rosso di
Riserva.
There are Carmignano wines for all budgets. For
lovers of many wine styles, vineyards to visit
include: Tentua di Capezzana Ambra, Artimino,
Castelvecchio, Fattoria il Poggiolo, Le Farnete,
Piaggia and Il Poggiolo. Be sure to visit the
Museum of Grapevine to learn about the
district's history and its wines.
Take a trip to Chianti, nestled in the hills
south of Florence, where you can tour not only
fabulous vineyards, but you can also have a look
through the many old farmhouses, abbeys, villas,
and castles found throughout the district. Just
outside San Donato is Casa Emma, and near
Volpaia, a lovely old hill town, is Castello Di Volpaia,
with its stone buildings filled with winery
equipment. Prime wine estates include Gallo Nero
wines.
Chianti is a very dry red wine, with a
concentrated fruit character, made mostly from
the local black Sangiovese grapes, mixed with
the white Trebbiano grapes. They are brought
together to give Chianti wines their famous dry,
full-bodied character. Visit one of the many
vineyards offering cellar door tastings, and
save on retail prices when you purchase the wine
at its source. Wines from the Chianti
subdistrict of Classico, have the symbol of a
black rooster on the label.
One of Italy's most famous appellations,
Brunello di Montalcino, comes from southern
Tuscany, produced from the Sangiovese vines
around the historic town of Montalcino. Many
wineries here blend other grapes, principally
Cabernet Sauvignon, but also Canaiolo and
Ciliegiolo, with the Sangiovese grapes to
produce some of the best Tuscan wines and wines
that the region is known for.
Finally, be sure to visit Montepulciano, an
ancient walled hilltop town in southeast
Tuscany, and try the signature wine of
Montepulciano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, one
of Tuscany's classic red wines. Aged for a
minimum of four years, these richly fruited
wines are long-lived. Also made here is Vin
Santo, a Sherry-like dessert wine made from
dried white grapes, more often Trebbiano and
Malvasia. The best and, naturally, the most
costly is Vin Santo, made in Montepulciano and
produced by Avignonesi.
Rod Ritchie, a travel writer and editor, writes
for many publishers including AA Publishing and
Fodors. Cottages to Castles offer a range of
high quality self
catering Tuscany rentals. Visit Cottages to
Castles for a selection of quality holiday
villas in Tuscany. Article
Source
