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A little about Tuscan wines... Wine is not just Chianti
[Susan Glasspool]
Visitors to Italy, and in our case, to Florence, invariably taste its wines. Many are pleasantly surprised, especially if brought up on the traditions of French wines alone. September is when the grapes are picked, the new wine is vatted and farmers are anxiously waiting to see (and taste) the results of what are often years of work in the vineyard. Chianti, one of the most famous among Italian wines, has always been an excellent wine in Tuscany and is absolutely nothing like what was once on sale outside Italy. At one time Chianti was only bought abroad as a cheap but drinkable wine (or plonk) to take to parties and because the bottle or rather flask could afterwards be converted into an ethnic style table lamp! This, fortunately, has changed. Over the years holidaymakers have gradually realised this and started taking “some of the good stuff” home with them, providing new temptations for their dinner guests. Wine is a much appreciated gift to take or send home and, don’t worry, there are firms like Mailboxes etc.who will see to the shipping, customs and delivery for you.
Today, the creative Chianti wine producers have modernised and specialised and now produce some really superb wines, not just for the table but also for preserving for that very special occasion. Even if you don’t know much about wines, you will recognise some of the vintages as being out of this world! In other words, what was once just a very good table wine, is now worthy of the gods! You may be interested to know that wines and Chianti wines are produced all around Florence and not just in the Chianti, though there are Chiantis and Chiantis! The quality is excellent - just try them - and flavours vary according to the area, altitude and quality of the grapes. The Rufina area produces the famous Chianti Rufina for example, but also the Pomino.
The vineyards of the Chianti Colli Fiorentini are distributed on the slopes of the hills between Florence and Prato, right opposite the Chianti Montespertoli, whereas the Chianti Montalbano grows further to the north, on the slopes of the hill of the same name, extending nearly as far as Pistoia. Montalbano also gives life to other fine wines like the Barco Reale of Carmignano and the Carmignano, with the Bianco della Valdinievole, the Bianco dell’Empolese, the Colline Lucchesi, Bianco Pisano di San Torpè and the Montecarlo wine production situated further to the west. Ask for them if you go out for a meal where there is a good wine list. They are definitely worth trying.
Chianti Classico is produced in the area between Siena and Florence, where we can also taste the San Gimignano and the Vernaccia of San Gimignano at the famous city of towers and, even further south, the fine Val d’Arbia wines.
The Colli dell’Etruria Centrale wine and various Vin Santo wines (Holy wines) are produced all around Florence, Prato and also towards, Siena, Arezzo and the south.
A wine tour is well worth taking while you are staying here, as almost all the areas mentioned are breathtakingly beautiful (to match their wines?) and you can visit the cellars, usually ancient, where the wines are stored and matured. It is certainly an original (and flavoursome) way of discovering Italy!
If you find you just can’t fit it in, remember that you can always taste - and buy - these wines in Florence at any of our recommended Enotecas or wine stores cum restaurants, who will usually also ship them home for you if you so desire. We have only mentioned a few of the wonderful wines produced here, so make the most of your stay in Florence to try them. The local wines are so exquisite that you will not only want to take them home with you but they will also encourage you to come back!
N.B. And, if you want to try your skills at wine tasting, Fiesole and Slow Food are holding a wine tasting competition on Saturday September 10th and Sunday September 11th....
Stefano, Gianni and Lucia, the owners of Acqua al 2 Restaurant, in Via della Vigna Vecchia 40r - www.acquaal2.it - create original pasta dishes served in large platters and really imaginative salads which can be washed down with some of the best Tuscan and Italian red and white wines from their cellars. Perfect for late-night dining.
Osteria dell'Agnolo in Borgo San Lorenzo, 24r - www.osteria-agnolo.it -is situated in the heart of Florence and is open to customers all day and every day from midday to 2 in the morning. Apart from its excellent cuisine and good beer, it also boasts a select wine list with all the local and Italian wines.
Trattoria Zà Zà in Piazza del Mercato Centrale 26/27r - www.trattoriazaza.it - is a splash of Bohemian glamour based on a classical Tuscan cuisine, with delicious stews, roasts and grills. The wines and after dinner liqueurs are wonderful and here an internal shop allows you to stock up on local gastronomic specialities as well as buy wine glasses, recipe books, aprons and cds.
Don’t miss NapoLeone in Piazza del Carmine 24 - www.trattorianapoleone.it, in the San Frediano area, opposite the Brancacci Chapel. It is only open for dinner and serves fresh fish, typical meat dishes and a wide variety of pizzas, while also boasting an enviable wine list that reflects Tuscany and all the other regions in Italy.
Giannino in San Lorenzo in Borgo San Lorenzo, 35/37r - www.gianninoinflorence.com - is specialised in Tuscan menus - just try their steaks! - and excellent wines that can also be ordered directly on-line. The characteristic interior decor is bright and cheery, while meals are also served outside during the summer months.
Celestino in Piazza S. Felicita, 4r - www.ristorantecelestino.it - serves mouthwatering traditional Mediterranean style menus both indoors and outside in the tiny square. It is a very popular place to eat among the Florentines and therefore good food - enhanced by a selection of fine Tuscan and Italian wines - is ensured!
MORE
http://www.acquaal2.it
http://www.osteria-agnolo.it
http://www.trattoriazaza.it
http://www.trattorianapoleone.it