Archive for 'Wineries & Breweries'

Chianti is one of the most famous parts of Tuscany and a big part of the reason that people choose Tuscany as a destination in the first place, is because of her food and wine culture. Therefore, this beautiful area of rolling green hills, pretty terracotta-toned houses and hilltop villages, is the perfection choice of a place to visit as it is the biggest wine region in all of Tuscany. We have countless wonderful villas in Chianti to choose from so be sure to browse these beautiful properties. Once you have chosen the right one for you, why not plan a visit to Azienda Agricola Montefioralle?

Azienda Agricola Montefioralle is a small, family-run Chianti Classico winery, located in the small medieval hamlet of Montefioralle, close to the town of Greve in Chianti. This lovely winery is made up of only 2 hectares (5 acres) of vineyard, making them one of the smallest-sized wineries among the consortium of Chianti Classico producers.

When my family decided that they wanted to visit a winery the very next day, late in the afternoon, I spent a rather panicked evening researching somewhere that suited their rather demanding stipulations and would be able to take us on such short notice.

I eventually (after much hair pulling and cursing under my breath) found Agriturismo Frascole and saw they did daily tours and tastings and were about a half hour drive from our villa. I rang early the next morning and they were able to take us at 3, as I requested. Little did I know how fortuitously excellent a selection it would prove to have been.

The road up to the winery was not easy. However, Frascole is located near the charming town of Dicomano, high up in Tuscan Apennines in the middle of an unspoiled area of natural beauty. The historic buildings, surrounding fields of the vineyard and incredible views over the mountains and valleys below were truly breathtaking.

While Chianti may be the most famous wine region in both Italy and Tuscany, it is not the only celebrated wine region in the country or the region. Tuscany is also home to Carmignano, a Tuscan wine region centered on the city of Carmignano, about 10 miles northwest of Florence. It has been praised for the high quality of its wines since the Middle Ages and was even singled out and favoured by Cosimo III de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. Protected since the 18th century, it was awarded Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) status in 1975 and subsequently promoted to Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) status in 1990.

Montaione is a stunning Tuscan village in the Province of Florence that is, potentially, the most beautiful town in all of Tuscany; a rather big claim, we are aware, but not a baseless one. Perched up high on a hill, accessible only by winding mountain roads snaking through thickly wooded surroundings, this lesser-known gem is wildly picturesque, though, perhaps, not the most happening spot in the world. However, if you are looking to well and truly get away from it all for a while, why not find a luxury villa in Florence and spend a day in the stunning surroundings of this incredibly peaceful hamlet?

Far off the typical tourist route, away from long queues and bustling crowds and steeped in preserved natural beauty and cultural gems, the town has more to offer than first meets the eye. While the town does not have its own vineyards, which is a reason that many of its young people have left for elsewhere and more job opportunities, it is located in the Elsa Valley.

Italy is quite famous for her cheeses and several of them are integral to Italian cuisine. In fact, Parmesan and Mozzarella have both become staples of fridges the world over and can be found in all sorts of dishes.

Another popular Italian cheese is Pecorino, a cheese made from 100% sheep’s milk. There are six varieties have received Protected Designation of Origin status with Pecorino Romano being one of the most ancient types of cheese and one of the most famous outside of Italy.

The cheese can only be produced on the islands of Sardinia, in Lazio and in the Tuscan Province of Grosseto and has a history that dates back to the Roman times – as the name might suggest – when it was a staple of the diet of soldiers at war. The cheese is even mentioned in the writings of the likes of Pliny the Elder, Hippocrates and Columella.