All about Wine

A wine journey along the Chiantigiana from Florence to Sienna

The Chianti area has been one of the most important wine producing regions in Italy for over two centuries. It was the family of the Grand Duke of Tuscany Lopold I that began cultivating grapes during the 18^th and 19^th centuries in the region that would become modern Chianti.

The best time of year to visit Tuscany (Toscana) is at harvest time in September, or just before harvest to see the vines bowing heavily with ripening Sangiovese grapes – the variety that is responsible for making Chianti Classico. During September most towns in Chianti celebrate the Sangiovese harvest with wine festivals such as the Vino al Vino held on the third week in September (17-19) in the small town of Panzano in Chianti, where many local wines can be sampled by the glass.

Here you will find a guide to some of the most popular wine festivals and wineries to visit during a trip to the Chianti region.

Wine Festivals

(second week in September)
Rassegna del Chianti Classico
A festival for the Chianti Classico. Friday from 17.00 – 22.00 and Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 – 22.00
Location: Greve in Chianti

Feste dell’uva
This is a wonderful festival in the pretty village of Vagliagli. There will be a parade and dancing, lots to eat and drink. It is an excellent typical village festival and we recommend that you see it. The website is www.festadelluvavagliagli.it, unfortunately it is all in Italian but there are many photos to give you an idea of the atmosphere at the festival.
Location: Vagliagli

Radda in Chianti

Radda in Chianti is principle market town in the Province of Siena in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 35 km southeast of Florence and about 15 km north of Siena.

Volpaia  – www.volpaia.com

Albola – www.albola.it

Gaiole in Chianti

Gaiole in Chianti is principle market town in the Province of Siena in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 40 km southeast of Florence and about 15 km northeast of Siena. The American magazine Forbes named it number one in its list of “Europe’s Most Idyllic Places To Live.”

The Chiantigiana (SR 222) is one of the most scenic and charming motoring routes in Italy, running directly south from Florence to Sienna cutting through the heart of the Chianti Classico wine zone. The road sweeps around rolling Tuscan hills and past thousands of hectares of vineyards, all producing outstanding Chianti Classico DOCG (the highest classification of Chianti). For a truly inspiring tour along Chiantigiana road, make time to visit some of the ancient towns of Chianti and surrounding wineries:

Brolio – www.ricasoli.it

The name Ricasoli has been linked to wine since 1141, when Brolio Castle passed into the hands of the Ricasoli family. The family tree, reproduced in a print from 1584, is also one of the first images we have of Chianti. You can book wine tastings for small or large groups at the Brolio wine shop: an exciting way to learn about and appreciate the Chianti Classico area through its most representative wines.

Greve in Chianti

Greve is a principle market town 31km south of Florence (Firenze). The Franciscan monastery is still at the heart of the old part of the city, as is the triangular main piazza, where a market has been running more or less continuously for centuries serving the nearby castle communities and hamlets.

Wineries to visit:

Verrazzano – www.verrazzano.com

Vignamaggio

Villa of Vignamaggio dates back to the 14th century and the winery produces around 230,000 bottles of wine every year, divided between Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva, I.G.T. and Vinsanto del Chianti Classico DOC. They offer pre-booked guided tours of their gardens and wine cellars, including a wine tasting and lunch. Their shop is open daily for free wine and oil tastings.

Panzano in Chianti

A small town with Etruscan origins, Panzano is situated on the Chiantigiana road between Castellina and Greve. Panzano Castle, built between the 11^th and 12^th centuries, nestles at the highest part of the town and the hike through the cobbled streets is well worth it.  The piazza is charming and a perfect place to watch the elderly men play cards, sip a Prosseco or enjoy homemade gelato.

Wineries to visit:

Le Fonti

A charming boutique family run winery nestling at the foot of Panzano village. The winery is open for cellar tours and tastings Monday to Friday from 10 – 12 and 2 – 6pm and produces superb IGT and Chianti Classico DOCG.

Fattoria Montagliari

A small family owned and run farm that has been producing wine using the most traditional methods since 1720. The Migliorini family, bought Fattoria Montagliari in 1999 and produce Chianti Classico DOCG, Chianti Classico Riserva, Brunesco di San Lorenzo IGT, Grappa, Brandy, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and aged Trebbiano Balsamic (20 and 28 years). There is also a fantastic restaurant with genuine Tuscan cooking and breath-taking views over the Greve valley.

Wine Festival: Vino al Vino – 17-19 September

Castellina in Chianti

Castellina in Chianti has historic and noble origins -in the 13th century it was built on a high ridge, probably over Roman ruins. It has a 14th-15th century character with a number of religious structures, including the parochial church of San Salvatore.

Wineries to Visit:

Gagliole – www.gagliole.com

Villa Trasqua
With 50 hectares under vine producing Chianti DOC and IGT wines, Villa Teraqua also boasts 10 hectares of olive trees. They offer guided visits to the cellars; tasting of Chianti Classico and Toscana rosso Trasgaia IGT for just 20 euros per person.

Wine Festival: The Grape and Wine Festival, Sinalunga, Piazza Garibaldi – third week of September

Wine tip- It’s all about temperature

When buying a bottle of Chianti ask the merchant what the vintage (year) was like (was it a hot or cool summer?), in order to gauge the wine’s aromatics. Temperature has an immense impact on the ripening of the grapes during the last weeks prior to harvest and is the key to determining the final aromatics of the wine. In the case of Chianti if temperatures are on the cooler side, the resulting wine will be fresher, more aromatic and abundant in fresh fruit flavours such as cranberry, cherry, and raspberry. If the season finishes with warmer temperatures, the wine will be dominated by plummy, prune-like characteristics.

Tuscan Villas in Chianti wine region

To make the most of the region’s excellent wine and local ingredients, go native and pretend you’re Italian by hiring a villa so you can cook up an Italian feast for friends and sip wine on the veranda.

• Villa Bernardi – Panzano in Chianti

A beautiful and spacious Tuscan farmhouse property situated on a hillside outside of the village of Panzano. The property dates back to the 11th Century and has been restored carefully to retain its original features and character. Laid out over 4 levels, this property is ideal for family groups with plenty of space to gather. The saltwater swimming pool is reached by a stone path across the lawn and enjoys views across the Chianti countryside. Sleeps up to 10 people and costs from £6552 per week

• Docciolina – Greve in Chianti

A traditional villa with beautiful views from the gardens and large swimming pool, which it is accessed from the terrace in front of the villa by some stone steps. A perfect spot to enjoy the Tuscan hills and sip wine from your terrace. The property sleeps up to 8 people and costs from £1502 a week.

• Panorama at Cornino – Castellina in Chianti

A spacious villa in the Hamlet of Cornino overlooking the Chianti hills, Panorama provides a peaceful retreat close to the town of Castellina. This beautifully restored property is surrounded by olive groves and unforgettable views. The property sleeps 3 people and costs from £546 per week.

To Tuscany has a wide choice of villas in Italy to choose from throughout the Tuscan wine regions. Visit www.to-tuscany.com to see a selection of properties and check availability.

Wurttemberg is the fourth largest wine-growing region in Germany.
Not only do outstanding red wines, like Trollinger, the Swabian favorite, or deep red Lemberger come from this region, but also excellent white wines. In connoisseurs’ circles, Wurttemberg represents both quality and diversity. In hardly any other wine-growing region can so many unusual specialties and different grape varieties be found. It is thanks to Wurttemberg wine-growers’ open-mindedness and eagerness to experiment, particularly during the past century, that you can enjoy Wurttemberg wines today that are second to none in the international arena.

Wurttemberg’s cooperative wineries have played a significant role in many a success story in the region.
Since the start of the 19th century, growers’ cooperatives have dealt with viticulture, quality and marketing. Today, with nearly 16,ooo members who cultivate some 8,6oo hectares (21,250 acres) of vines, cooperatives account for 8o% of regional production. In no other wine-growing region of Germany are so many growers members of a cooperative.
A wine-growers’ cooperative is much more than a business enterprise, it is a true sign of quality. Every single wine that bears the “connoisseur” logo promises to be a distinctive pleasure — and collectively, Wurttemberg wines distinguish themselves from the nondescript wine style that has become standard worldwide.

Wines are a product of nature. They are a part of their region of origin, and the people who enjoy them. Not only the increasing number of awards, but also the fact that more and more wine drinkers choose Wurttemberg wines confirms our conviction. See for yourself and discover the diversity of Wurttemberg wines. They are easy to recognize: look for the “connoisseur” logo, a seal of quality for Wurttemberg wines.

By: Winehaus