Archive for 'Food and Wine'

There is no shortage of wineries in the Chianti region of Tuscany. Famous for her wines, with one of the most globally-renowned types of wines on the market bearing her name, Chianti is all about wine, wine culture, and wineries. The landscape of Chianti is just dotted by farmhouses, wineries, vineyards, olive groves, lovely stone towns, and castles and, as such, there is endless choice of places to go to learn about wine in Chianti, to taste wine in Chianti, to buy wine in Chianti, and much more besides. However, one particularly perfect place to do all of the things mentioned above and to do so in the most typically beautiful and typically Chianti of settings is the Castello di Verrazzano winery. Set inside a stunning Chianti castle that is nestled amongst the beautiful landscape of rolling hills blanketed by vineyards and olive groves of the region, the Castello di Verrazzano is both well-respected and utterly gorgeous. It is the ideal place to sip on some delicious Tuscan wines if you have found a luxury villa in Chianti.

The castle is named after the Verrazzano family, originally hailing from Lombardy and famous due to their most notable family member Giovanni da Verrazzano (who was the explorer that discovered the bay of New York and was born in Castello di Verrazzano in 1485), and the name likely derives from the Latin words "verres" (meaning wild boar) and "zona," (meaning place) and translates to the “land of the wild boar.” However, the history of the castle is much older and was originally an Etruscan and then a Roman settlement. The Verrazzano family came into possession of the castle in the 7th century and remained there until the family line ended in 1819. Since then, the castle has passed through several different hands but has been managed by the Florentine Cappellini family since 1958.

It is well-known that Tuscany is one of the best destinations for truffle lovers to visit, it is home to San Miniato, which is famous for its annual globally-renowned truffle festival, and there is no shortage of truffle-based dishes and food products to choose from in Tuscan stores and restaurants. However, if you were thinking about booking a vacation rental in San Miniato and spending some time in Tuscany and exploring her food culture, then there is a particular company that you should probably know about: Truffle In Tuscany. If you are interested in Tuscan truffle recipes or how to find truffles in Tuscany, then this is an ideal company to look into as they arrange a variety of different truffle-based activities and itineraries.

Established by Massimo, a San Miniato native who has truffle-hunting in his blood and comes from a long line of truffle enthusiasts, Truffle In Tuscany started as a personal passion and is now a leading truffle tour operator that allows visitors and tourists to experience the truffle and food culture of this beautiful part of Tuscany. There are a variety of tour options to choose from, depending on your particular interests.

If you have been thinking about travelling to Italy then be sure to browse our incredible vacation rentals in Tuscany and, once you do, you can start planning all that you will see and do while you’re there! In addition to beautiful little towns, buzzing metropolises laden with centuries of history and culture, stunning landscapes, amazing beaches, incredible mountain ranges, pretty islands, outstanding food and wine, architectural gems and breath-taking places of worship, stylish people-watching opportunities aplenty, and much more besides, the Italian regions also boast lots of excellent shopping destinations. Not only is it a veritable mecca for fashion lovers, it is also a place where tradition lives on and quality is very much prided. As such, it is a wonderful place to browse little local shops selling souvenirs to bring home, unique boutiques stuffed with all sorts of Italian gifts, and small local makers’ wares to find incredible things to buy in Italy. If you are planning a trip to Tuscany, you like great souvenirs and shopping for authentic, handmade, and beautiful things, and you are wondering what to buy then these are the items to remember to leave room for in your suitcase as you explore Tuscany and take day trips throughout the regions in Italy!

Are you mad about strawberries? If so, have you tried strawberries (or, really, any kind of fruit or vegetables) in Italy during the summer? It is a whole different experience that can completely change your mind about things and convert you to foods that you never thought you liked! If you love strawberries, then you need to try Italian strawberries that have been perfectly ripened by the sunny days and fertile soils of Italy. It is a magical experience but it is at its absolute peak in the town of Terricciola. Located in the province of Pisa, this pretty little town is most famous for her annual strawberry festival, which is a must-see for foodies who have found themselves a luxury villa in Pisa and plan on spending time in the area during May.

Autumn brings with it the harvest season and lots of delicious seasonal foods. As the winter approaches, however, Italy and Tuscany celebrate one last tasty harvest for the year, or, rather, one last forage: for precious truffles.

Truffles can actually be found in Italy throughout much of the year with dark winter truffles available from January to March, tan truffles (or bianchetto truffles) being foraged from March to April, and common black summer truffles can be unearthed from June to November. However, the most sought-out and highly-prized of all truffles are the tartufo bianco, or white truffles, which can be found from September through to November. As a result of this being the time in which the most beloved truffles are to be found, October and November are also when many events surrounding the finding, eating, and celebrating of truffles take place.