Chianti Wine Route Traveling in Tuscany

Would you like to visit the home of classic Chianti, the legendary Italian wine that became famous already in the 13th century? Then get ready: early morning departure from Marina di Scarlino towards Florence - you are already in Imprunet. After admiring the beautiful Sanctuary of St. Mary, you take the Chianti Route towards Siena, following state road no. 222. Then arrival in Greve in Chianti, on its beautiful medieval square, and visit the historic cellars for wine tasting. produced in the years of the best harvests. Do you want to feel the spirit of the Middle Ages? Then we invite you to Montefioralle, one of the most beautiful towns in Italy, where you can stroll through silent streets and ancient vineyards. This wonderful area is fraught with other surprises. A few more kilometers - and now you are in Volpaye - a perfectly preserved medieval town, famous for its castle and magnificent enoteca (if you can, go there in May, when a million fragrant roses bloom in the city). Finally, the last leg of our journey is Radda in Chianti, the headquarters of the Classic Chianti Consortium. The last attraction of the town is the rural church of San Giusto in Salcio: feel the harmony of 11th century architecture.

Scarlino

Scarlino is a town on the slopes of Monte d'Alma. It is here for the first time that the Maremma appears in all its splendor - an endless green space, which on the horizon merges with the blue of the sea. Scarlino, a small but charming medieval town, is just minutes from the beautiful Marina di Scarlino Yacht Club & Residences. The history of the town, which dates back to the 10th century AD, is connected with the history of the noble Aldobrandeschi family. For a sense of history, stroll along the medieval walls to the Rocca Aldobrandesca fortress, and then plunge into the atmosphere of the ancient streets or the intact setting of the beautiful Roman church of San Donato, which was mentioned in historical records as early as 1188.

Cala violina

We are talking about a miracle that is located almost under your windows. Cala felice Beach Club is an elegant structure where you can relax while enjoying the beautiful sea and sun. Can't resist the call of the sea, irresistibly enticing you to adventure? Then you should rent an inflatable boat and visit Cala Violina (Violin Bay), the amazing beach of the Maremma Grossetto, located just a short sail from Marina di Scarlino. Would you like to know what the musical name of this beach comes from? Try walking along the finest sands of this delightful bay: on quiet days, your walk will be accompanied by the gentle sound of the sand, reminiscent of the sound of a violin. It is worth recalling that Cala Violina cannot be reached by private road transport, but there is a shuttle service in the summer.

Alternatively, you can walk to Cala Violina on a 4 km trail that starts at the Il Cantuccio restaurant in Il Puntone, Garibaldi promenade, towards the Tourist Port. After the barrier, trail number 1 begins, which runs through the Mediterranean vegetation. After 2 km you can see the delightful rugged cliffs and transparent green water of the Cala Franchese and Cala Martina bays, and after another 2 km you will see Cala Violina in all its glory.

Tuscan archipelago

Every day you can admire a delightful sight - the appearance on the horizon of Marina di Scarlino of the outlines of the island of Elba. This is how, in the breeze of a nascent day, an exciting and slightly sporty journey through the seven wonders begins. National park Tuscan archipelago. In this piece of paradise, clear water and deep sea awaits you, at the sight of which thoughts of a treasure hunt come to mind, as well as picturesque beaches, wild nature and evidence of living history. Our starting point is Elba Island and Cape Enfola, with amazingly clear waters. Or maybe you want to get to know the island better and visit the house where Napoleon lived during his exile in 1814? Would you like to continue your journey by sea? Then you just have to choose any of the many routes. For example, the island of Giannutri with a wonderful seabed, then the island of Giglio and the island of Montecristo, described in the famous novel by Alexander Dumas, the island of Capraia with a settlement of the Roman period and a monastery, and finally, the island of Pianosa and the island of Gorgona, already mentioned by Dante in the XXXIII song of Hell dedicated to the tragic character Ugolino della Gherardesca. But you don't need to worry - you are in paradise.

Siena And Surroundings

Siena is the ideal base for exploring the historical and cultural heritage Tuscany. Now you are driving towards Siena, a UNESCO heritage site, an unrivaled treasure trove of art, culture and cuisine unmatched anywhere in the world. With just an hour and a half drive from Marina di Scarlino, Piazza del Campo is at your feet. First step? A magnificent cycle of frescoes "Allegories of Good and Bad Government", painted by Abrogio Lorenzetti in 1337 for the Council of Nine Hall of Palazzo Pubblico. Or do you prefer Duccio's Maesta, a treasure housed in the Cathedral Museum (Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana del Duomo)? In any case, mark two dates in your diary: July 2 and August 16. It is on these days that the famous Siena Palio takes place, which you should definitely visit. But before summer comes, would you like to continue your wonderful journey by visiting one of the most beautiful and wealthy regions of Italy? South of Siena, the wonders of the Renaissance, which you can admire in Pienza, and the masterpieces of Italian winemaking await you: the finest wines in Italy - the magnificent Super Tuscans from Montalcino and Montepulciano. You can also travel north to enjoy the enchanting beauty of Monteriggioni Castle, built by the inhabitants of Siena at the beginning of the 13th century, to Colle Val d'Elsa, an ancient city located on the Route of the Franks, or to San Gimignano, an authentic medieval Manhattan with its incredible towers, dating back to the origins of history.

Maremma Experience

In this paradise, everything is perceived in a special light: nature, history, art, architecture, cuisine, winemaking. Because you are in the Maremma, one of the treasures of Italy. At the heart of this large area is the Marina di Scarlino Yacht Club & Residences, where amazing discoveries await you every day.

Want to know about the origins of Italian civilization?

Then we will begin our story with the Etruscans, one of the most mysterious and amazing peoples of the Mediterranean. You will travel through the majestic necropolises and ancient towns, towering on rocks of tuff: for example, Pitigliano, which is also called "little Jerusalem", Sovane and its magnificent cathedral of the 11th century, or Sorano, which is an amazing labyrinth of streets, courtyards and niches, carved into the rock. These few kilometers contain centuries of history.

Looking for an unforgettable experience?

Then visit Volterra, where the wonders of the Guarnacci Museum await you, most notably the magnificent “Shadow of the Evening” (“L’ombra della sera”), named after Gabriele D'Annunzio. Looking for a quick transition to Mannerism? Just a few steps - and you are already in the Pinacoteca in front of the masterpiece "Descent from the Cross", painted by Rosso Fiorentino in 1521.

Do you want to completely relax and not think about anything?

A few kilometers from Scarlino, there are the famous Terme di Saturnia, which were highly valued already during the Roman Empire. It is enough to spend just one day in thermal springs, the temperature of which is 37 °, and you will completely relax and find excellent well-being.

Are you interested in the Romanesque period?

Then you should visit a location just a few steps from Marina di Scarlino Yacht & Residences. We are talking about the city of Massa Marittima and the enchanting Cathedral of San Cerbone, the true pearl of which is the "Madonna and Child" (1316), attributed to Duccio di Buoninsegna. A little further away - the most interesting Sources of Abundance. On their walls grows, like a forbidden fruit, the original "Tree of Fertility" - a fresco of 1265, to which all future mothers made pilgrimages.

Do you want to relax in the bosom of nature?

Maremma National Park is home to miles of virgin forests, pine groves, pastures and dazzling white sand beaches, awarded a European diploma, which is awarded to protected areas. Enjoy a 9,800 hectare piece of paradise between Principina a Mare and Talamone. Here you can admire the Mediterranean vegetation, hike, bike or horse. This oasis of beauty is fraught with small and large masterpieces of art and nature, for example, the Abbey of San Rabano - an old monastery of the Benedictines, which then passed to the knights of Jerusalem. This is where movie-worthy adventure awaits.

Florence

Only one thing can be said about this city - this is a whole world full of amazing surprises awaiting you at any time of the year and in any setting. A completely different world awaits you here. Do you want to devote a whole day to museums? In the Uffizi, masterpieces of great masters await you, from Giotto and Botticelli to Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Titian. Are you looking for a more intimate environment for contemplation? Then take a walk through the silent monastery of St. Mark, which houses a painting by Beato Angelico (Savonarola fans should definitely visit his cell). Do you have an unbridled desire to look at the works of Raphael? If so, head to Palazzo Pitti. Or, conversely, slow down and take romantic walk along the Arno and Ponte Vecchio or along the paths of the Boboli Gardens. An unforgettable shopping experience awaits you in the splendid boutiques on rue dei Tornabuoni, the benchmark for refined taste and Italian elegance. Before returning to the coast, devote at least an hour to the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum and its marvelous creations that have adorned the feet of world stars such as Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland and Audrey Hepburn. And of course, this museum is dedicated to you too, as evidenced by Salvatore Ferragamo's Vintage line.

Maremma wines

Wine is one of the main treasures of Tuscany and, in particular, of the Maremma. Just a few steps from Marina di Scarlino, begins a wonderful wine and gastronomic route called Strada del Vino e dei Sapori Colli di Maremma, in the natural beauty of the province of Grossetto. On your way, you can taste all the richness of local cuisine and wines of thirteen cities of the Maremma: Campagnatico, Capalbio, Grossetto, Isola del Giglio, Magliano in Tuscany, Manciano, Monte Argentario, Orbetello, Pitigliano, Roccalbenia, Scanzano, Semproniano. In each of these cities you will find wines with a distinct character, such as Morellino di Scansano, Bianco di Pitigliano, Montecucco Bianco and Montecucco Rosso, Montereggio di Massa Marittima Vin Santo, Novello di Montereggio di Massa Marittima ", as well as" Parrina Rosato al Sovana Rosso Riserva ". One sip - and you rise upward, feeling like a great sommelier, enjoying the unforgettable sensations from a great combination of cuisine and wine. Served on the table, gentlemen!

Golf

A few minutes drive from Marina di Scarlino, near Gavorrano, the Il Pelagone golf club was opened. Here you will find one of the finest golf courses in Tuscany. The magnificent 18-hole course offers scenic views of the Maremma hills. There is a convenient training field nearby, where you can prepare for major sports competitions and show decent results.

One way to love and understand wine is to travel through the wine region. It is through landscapes, smells, local gastronomy, through acquaintance with winemakers for many, including me, the easiest way to understand and discover wine. Therefore, I suggest starting your acquaintance with Chianti, one of the symbols of Italian winemaking, with the landscapes and cities of the Tuscan region of Chianti.

1. I'll start with the classic types. Chianti is one of the most popular Italian regions among tourists, whose hills and cypresses have been reproduced many times on hundreds of postcards. However, this is not a reason to admire them again, especially since these places have a downright magical photogenicity.

8. The whole Chianti region in one photo - vineyards, olive groves, medieval towns.

10. Each time I open a bottle of Chianti, I will remember the malachite spills of the hills and the vineyards receding into the distance. Wine understanding trips like this do more than all the classes and tastings combined.

12. Do you know why roses are planted in vineyards? Not so much for beauty as for benefit: they are much more susceptible to disease than vines. If the roses don't feel very good, the winemaker realizes that something went wrong, and therefore has the opportunity to correct the situation.

16. This is a view from the terrace of a house in a winery. Tenuta di Bibbiano where I was staying. One morning in these thickets I saw a deer! A story about the farm and its wines is ahead.

18. The first signs of autumn. The trip took place at the end of September, the weather was summer, and therefore little reminded of the approach of the yellow-orange season. Now in Tuscany, I think, it is a million times more beautiful!

19. At the end of September, in the town of Panzano in Chianti, the Vino al Vino wine festival takes place, which I could not help but stop by! The photo shows the moment when you can no longer hold the glass with your hands, you have to help yourself with your feet. ;)

20. How is the festival organized? For 16 euros you get a glass and a bag for it, which you saw in the previous photo, a brochure with a story about the producers and a list of wines available for order. You arm yourself with a pen and start walking from stand to stand, trying and making notes.

21. Each winemaker presents a full line - usually 4-5 wines. You can taste the wines of all the participants, I think, during the three days that the festival lasts. If time is short, then you can take a shortcut: I, for example, decided to try not classic Chianti, but more interesting and usually more expensive samples. I didn't buy anything - they still sell wine only in 6 bottles.

22. Winemakers, as you can see, are advanced - they use dropstops (drip catchers). I talked about them in. The cockerel on the neck is a symbol of the consortium of Chianti classico producers, we will return to it in a separate post.

24. Wine critics look like this.

25. And their future readers - so.

26. The festival is, of course, the best place to get acquainted with local products.

27. For the first time in my life I came across a pie with grapes! The traditional Chianti dish is called schiaccia con l "uva, schiaccia con l "uva... I tried both options: the one with dark and fresh grapes, I liked more, although the tastiest was the Schiaccia, which I ate a few days before in Castellina in Chianti. I will tell you more about this lovely town and its gastronomic traditions. I think you understand that we have more than one post ahead of us dedicated to the Chianti region, its wines and gastronomy.

29. Here, in Panzano, is the restaurant of the star butcher Dario Cecchini. Unfortunately, during the trip, I was slightly out of schedule and did not get there, despite the reservation. I heard excellent reviews from friends! Have you been there?

30. I quickly ran away from the festival - Panzano is a tiny town, the pavilions of winemakers occupied one of its miniature squares. It was inconvenient to push around with a glass in hand and with a camera at the ready, so to get acquainted with wine, it was decided to go further, to Greve in Chianti. If you follow my route, don't miss this place, Antica Macelleria Falorni.

31. A good choice wines both by the glass and by the bottle, sensible snacks, excellent tartars and other meat dishes - I was satisfied. Sitting in the central square and staring around was very pleasant, despite the almost complete absence of the Italians surrounded. And in this, perhaps, one of the main features of Chianti is simply incredible, unthinkable tourist destination... Even remote villages have an English menu! And even in remote restaurants, found somewhere along the road, you will certainly stumble upon a company of American tourists. I have been in Italy a lot, but nowhere, except, perhaps, Rome, I have not seen so many tourists.

32. The more southern part of Tuscany, where I was in July, seemed to me a place more authentic, where you can feel the rhythm of Italian life, its unhurried flow, where the signs of life or the quirks of the locals lie in plain sight, and not hidden behind tourist options. Therefore, if you go to Tuscany, I advise you not to stop only in Chianti, but also to go further, towards Rome, behind idyllic rural landscapes, outside towns like where you are almost the only tourist behind.

33. Again, the black rooster is the symbol of Chianti classico producers.

35. In Greve in Chianti, I met my reader (how small the world is!), On whose advice I drove into the village of Montefioralle located just above. Such villages in Italy are called borgo. It seems that the flow of life has stopped here - these streets look exactly the same as they looked hundreds of years ago. And only the muttering of the TV, suddenly heard from the ajar window, brings you back to reality.

37. In Montefioralle I met a gang of cheese and truffle lovers. Even cats in Chianti are gourmets!

39. But this child I accidentally woke up - he slept in the sun by a wine barrel in Panzano. The very moment when you were raised, but they forgot to wake you up.

In the next posts, we will visit two wineries that are completely different from each other, walk around the Saturday market, understand the intricacies of Chianti production and visit a beautiful Tuscan house worthy of publication in Architectural Digest.

The taste of Tuscany is the taste of wine, olive oil and other delicacies; A full acquaintance with these flavors means not only tasting the best samples, but also observing the nature, landscape and production, thanks to which they are born.

In contact with

The region's gastronomic tradition is extremely rich: there are 42 EU-certified wines in Tuscany (DOC and DOCG categories). Also in Tuscany there are 19 farms with registered origin and as many as 455 traditional products. For those who want to learn more about the richness of the local gastronomic culture, there are specially designed routes.

Wine Route Vino dei Colli di Candia (Lunigiana)

Spelled Garfagnana IGP © finedininglovers.it

The main product of the Garfagnana region is the chestnut; for many years it has been a staple food. The local spelled of the IGP category (patented geographic name), from which many soups are prepared. The neighboring area, Lunigiana, is famous primarily for the lard from Colonnata (also IGP category). You should also try "testaroli" - a kind of pancakes cooked on special "dough" discs made of cast iron or iron directly on live fire, "zgabey" (strips of fried dough) and "panigacchi" (cakes made of water and flour, which are baked in wood stove). In this corner of Tuscany, despite the mountainous landscape, two types of controlled by origin (DOC) wines are produced: Candia dei Colli Apuani Doc and Colli di Luni Doc.

Lucca and Montecarlo: wine and olive oil

Extra virgin olive oil from Lucca in the DOP category is made from at least 70% of the Frantoio olives, as well as from the Leccino, Moraiolo and Pendolino varieties. Specialties of the local cuisine are garmuja soup with meat and vegetables, pies with artichokes, onions or potatoes, and trout with fried beets. The main dessert is buccellato cake made of flour, butter and sugar with the addition of raisins and anise seeds. The wines from the Colline Luccesi and Montecarlo are extremely ancient history dating back to the Etruscan era.

Tastes and colors in the Pistoia Apennines

Two traditional products for which the region is famous are the ornamental citrus fruits of Tuscany IGP and magnolia from Pistoia IGP. Local farmers are also proud of the beans from the IGP Sorana: this variety with white, small and slightly flattened fruits, has a very delicate taste, which was appreciated by the composer Gioacchino Rossini. They also make pecorino cheese from raw sheep's milk from the mountains and valleys of Pistoia and sweet chestnut flour from the Pistoia mountains.

Chestnut Route from Mugello to Marradi

Chestnuts from Mugello © teladoiofirenze.it

For a long time, the inhabitants of the town of Marradi associate its history and name with the chestnut: here it is also called the “breadfruit”, since not so long ago the chestnut was one of the few sources of food for the inhabitants of the mountains. Local chefs have created a wide variety of recipes that will help you appreciate the main product of these forests; in October, a chestnut festival is held in his honor - Sagra delle Castagne. In addition, in this area they love and know how to cook mushrooms, polenta, tortelli, sausages, sauces and game main courses.

Casentino Valley Products

Prosciutto from Casentino DOP © ilmangiaweb.it

The products of the Casentino Valley have been renowned for their quality for centuries. As in many other places in Italy, local producers try to make the most of local products and raw materials. Far outside Casentino, the local ham (Dop category), pork salsiccia "Sanbudello", the meat of white gobies of the Central Apennines of the Chianina breed (IGP), from which the famous Florentine steak is made, became famous. The Arezzo abbuccio cheese is not quite ordinary; Chetika is famous for its chestnuts, truffles and red potatoes. The latter is grown in the traditional way and is used to make tortelli (dumplings).

Route through the Tuscan part of the Tiber Valley (Valtiberina)

In this valley, white gobies of the central Apennines of the Chianina breed (IGP) are raised, the meat of which is ideal for steaks, as well as baking, stewing and boiling. December and January are considered “pork season”, when sausages, hams, salsicci, sambudelli, soprassat, capocolla, chicchloli and other meat products are harvested. The local olive oil smells of herbs and is made from gentile, morkon, oriola, frantoia and leccin varieties. The list would be incomplete without the Kentucky tobacco from which the famous Tuscan cigars are made.

Wine route around Arezzo

The Val di Chiana has given its name to the Chianina breed of cows, which are now raised elsewhere in Tuscany. The meat of this breed has a pronounced taste and contains a moderate amount of fat, evenly distributed throughout the meat. This is why the cooked meat is so soft. A special variety of beans "zolfino" and "valdar beans" grow here. As for meat products, we will mention "porchetta", a suckling pig roll baked in a wood-fired oven. Another typical dish is the Etruscan rabbit stewed in a pot with onions, garlic and olives. The local yellow salty bread is unusual. For desserts, try the Aretino gatto - a biscuit roll with chocolate custard. The main wine is Chianti Colli Aretini (Docg) and Cortona (Doc).

Getting to know the Chianti Classico

Chianti cuisine draws on the culinary customs of the two provinces, Florence and Siena, to create its own image. A typical example is stracotto alla chiantijana, a leg of beef with beans, sage, rosemary, garlic and tomatoes. Chianti Docg is the most common wine in Italy. It is grown in six provinces (Arezzo, Florenia, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato, Siena). Chianti from traditional habitats is designated Chianti Classico Docg. This incomparable wine is characterized by the smell of violets and plums, has a fruity and harmonious taste and a sour aftertaste that emphasizes its freshness.

Route through the hills of the Chianti Colli Fiorentini wine estate

This area is considered to be a zone of "poor cuisine", the birthplace of such dishes as "trippa" and "lampredotto", "ribollita" and "pappa-al-pomodoro", which are prepared with stale bread, as well as soups, pasta "penne-horroricate". Pepozo alla fornachina, beef stew in wine, is another famous local specialty, once a favorite of Brunelleschi himself. Pork Cinto Toscano (Dop category in the process of making) is valued no less than the olive oil “Colline di Firenze” (Dop category in the making). Wine Chianti Colli Fiorentini Docg - bright ruby color, transparent, in the "reserve" version has an even more complex taste and smell with hints of tobacco, baked cherry and plum jam.

Chianti Rufina and Pomino Wine Route

V local cuisine mushrooms occupy important place... A rather unusual mushroom is popular here - the early hygrophor, which appears in February when the snow melts, delighting gourmets with its strong and wonderful taste. Local potatoes are prized: tortelli with potatoes are considered the symbol of Mugello cuisine. Among the almost obsolete dishes, it is worth remembering the soup made from the rank and "brodo di compenso" - a vegetable broth, to which butter and cheese crust are added for taste. Typical wines of the area are Pomino Doc and Chianti Rufina Docg.

Montespertoli Wine Route

In terms of slope exposure, soil composition and climate, the Montespertoli region is ideal for growing grapes. In 1997, the Chianti Montespertoli sub-zone was isolated to highlight the high quality of the local wines intended for long-term bottle aging.

The cuisine here is traditional for the Florentine region: ribollita with kale and canellini beans, panzanella, pappa col pomodoro and a Florentine steak. Chianti Montespertoli Docg has a ruby red color that becomes more garnet with aging; smell - wild berries and violet. The wine has an excellent structure, velvety and delicate taste.

Medici Route: Carmignano wines

Dates from Carmignano, dried on reed mats, have been considered a delicacy since the times Ancient rome... The cantuccino di Prato shortbread almond biscuits are well-known, which go well with vin santo. Carmignano is the smallest Docg region in Italy and the first Tuscan wine (along with Chianti) to be controlled and guaranteed by origin. Its taste is dry and harmonious, the smell is violets and wildflowers.

Montalbano route

IGP Toscano olive oil, with the Montalbano refinement, is made from the olives of the varieties Frantoio, Moraiolo, Leccino, Pendolino, Rossellino and Pianjente. It is green in color with shades of yellow, the taste is fruity, with notes of almond and artichoke. Of the sweets, we note "brigidini di Lamporecchio", the finest biscuits with anise flavor, "berlingozzo" - a bagel that used to be worn by country gourmets right around the neck, "cantuccini", which go so well with a glass of "wines santo". Chianti Montalbano, now the Docg zone, has been famous for its wine since the 13th century! This wine was served at the table of the bishops of Pistoia.

Wine Route "Colline Pisane"

The most famous delicacy of the province of Pisa is the white truffle, of the fruit is the cherry from Lari. Also known are table grapes from San Colombano. It is worth noting a few unusual meat dishes, for example, "testicciola alla pisana" - a boiled head of a young bull or lamb, but fish cuisine dominates here, of course. A typical example is the cuttlefish ink risotto. The DOP category is currently being issued for the pecorino cheese from Balze Volterrana. The newly registered Chianti Colline Pisane Docg has become a new star among Tuscan wines.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano Wine Route

San Gimignano is known primarily for its medieval tower houses, once owned by local aristocrats, each of which sought to surpass the others in height. Along the route, you will encounter whole fields of saffron (right now the DOP category is being issued for it).

Vernaccia di San gimignano Docg is an old wine that even Dante mentioned in The Divine Comedy. First it was awarded the Doc category, and in 1993 - Docg. It is a white dry wine of yellow-straw color with a delicate aroma and dry, harmonious taste.

Collie Senesi: on the hills around Siena

The most famous Sienese dish is pichi. "Panforte" and "Ricciarelli" are also quite famous in Italy, the Igp category for them is now being drawn up. The first, by the way, was first mentioned already in 1205: at that time it was made by no fewer pharmacists, apparently due to the large number of ingredients in the recipe. It consisted of candied fruits, honey, caramelized sugar, almonds, flour and many spices. The progenitor of "Ricciarelli" was marzipan, they also contain sugar and almonds. The sweetness became popular in Siena in the 15th century. Chianti Colli Senesi Docg wine is almost entirely made from the Sangiovese variety. Ruby red wine has a characteristic violet scent. Dessert Vin Santo dei Colli Senesi attracts everything to the region more tourists who are fond of oenology.

Wine Route Nobile di Montepulciano

To the southeast of Siena, on the very border with Umbria, is the town of Montepulciano, called the "pearl of the Cinquecento" for its amazing architecture. As elsewhere in the Sienese region, they eat pichi (a type of hand-made spaghetti) with meat and mushroom sauces. Red wine Nobile di Montepulciano was first mentioned at the beginning of the 14th century. In 1980 it was awarded the Docg category. "Nobile" - slightly tannin, dry, characterized by a pomegranate color with orange hues that intensify with aging of the wine. The smell is violet, more or less intense.

Orcia Valley Wine Route

Local cuisine: grilled meats, homemade pasta, soups, game gravies, pecorino Terre di Siena cheese, lake fish. Orcia Doc Rosso is a versatile wine, white Orcia Bianco is combined with light and fish dishes

Montalcino Wine Route

Buristo - salami, almost disappeared from the shelves due to new sanitary and hygienic rules, has been made for centuries from pork blood, fat, lemon peel, raisins, pine nuts and spices. Salami "bastradro" is a dry-cured sausage made from the same minced meat as salsicchu. Brunello di Montalcino is the first Italian wine to receive the DOCG category. It is produced on the territory of the commune of Montalcino exclusively from the Sangiovese variety, in the local dialect called "Brunello". This classic wine goes well with red meats, roasts, game, and aged cheeses. You can drink it by itself, as the Italians say "for meditation."

Wine and Gastronomy Route
Montereggio di Massa Marittima

The cuisine of the Maremma is very varied and rich, including soups, tagliatelle with sauces, pork and boar salsicci, and game dishes. Wine Monteregio di Massa Marittima Doc became known not very long ago. There are eight categories in Doc, including Red, Reserve, Pink, Novello. All are made from Sangiovese and other red grapes. Montregio goes well with a variety of dishes.

Etruscan Coast Wine Route

The route runs close to the seashore, from Cecina to Piombino, partly capturing the island of Elba. Bolgheri and Castagneto Carducci are home to the most famous vineyards in the world, from which grapes are made Sassicaia. Game plays an important role in the local cuisine, and the proximity to the sea means a large selection of fish dishes. On the Elbe, octopus with potatoes, Elbe mussels, “Stokkafisso alla rieshe” and other interesting recipes are popular. An unusual local specialty is strawberry jam, slightly sour, ideally combined with pecorino cheese.

Monteccuco Wine Route and Mount Amiata

The route covers the slopes of Mount Amiata, which is located between the Maremma lowlands and the Sienese hills. There are many forests, vineyards and olive groves, medieval towns, castles and farms with old wine cellars and olive oil presses. In this non-touristy part of Tuscany, product manufacturers don't shy away from innovation as long as they don't break centuries of tradition. The region is famous for its game, mushrooms (primarily porcini and royal mushrooms), chestnuts from Amiata IGP, olive oil from sejano olives (DOP category under development).
Montecucco red wine acquired the Doc category not so long ago, in 1998. It is made from Sangiovese and other red grapes.

Chianti is exactly what you thought. The wine fully reflects the peculiarity of the region. Through it you can assess how sunny the days are in Chianti, how rich the aromas of its herbs, how clean the air and how measured life. The landscapes of Chianti are endless vineyards, interrupted only by the houses of their owners, well-groomed greenery, one by one the hills lined with bushes. For lovers of such idyllic paintings, a special road was even built, which will lead through the best wine-growing lands directly to the homeland of the famous Chianti - the Brolio castle.

Old towns are scattered throughout the region, where the atmosphere of rural life under the sun's rays has been preserved. The beauty of these places was appreciated by Leonardo da Vinci; it is hardly by chance that he painted the famous La Gioconda here. According to one version, Mona Lisa was originally from Chianti.

Flights to Chianti

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How to get to Chianti

By plane

The airport serving the Chianti region is 1 km from the center of Pisa and 80 km from Florence. There are no direct flights from Moscow, so you will either have to be content with connecting flights through Rome or other European cities, or use land transport.

By train

Network railways connects the cities of the Chianti region with each other and with neighboring provinces. Florence and Siena can be reached from Rome and Milan in a couple of hours.

Hotels in Chianti

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The Chianti region is dotted with hotels and guesthouses, the choice depends solely on the preferences of tourists and their transport options. It is convenient to move between towns by car, and then you do not need to get attached to large settlements... In this case, you can choose a picturesque house away from the noise, feel like the owner of vineyards, wake up and watch the slender rows of plantations from the window. Many hotels are occupied by old mansions, in which you can also pretend to be at least a duke. In this case, it is not necessary to empty your treasury clean up.

The minimum cost of living in Chianti is from 40 € per night for two. For this money, you can get a simple room in a house or hostel, for example, in Greve (Residence Casprini da Omero) or Gaiole (La Fonte Del Cieco, Villa Vittoria Gaiole In Chianti). In Gaiole, you can also stay like a king in the five-star Castello di Spaltenna Exclusive Resort & Spa (from 200 €), several similar places at once - in Castelnuovo Berardenga.

The cost of three-fours varies from 80 to 300 € per night.

Shopping in Chianti

Wine. Wine. And wine again. You can take it out even in boxes, the main thing is to check it in luggage, keeping within the standard of your airline. However, difficulties may arise when entering Russia. According to the current customs regulations, you can import into our country no more than 2 liters of strong alcoholic beverages per person. In addition to wine, Chianti produces grappa, limoncello, and cognac. Marking - a red label with a black rooster in the center - speaks of high quality... A good wine costs from 10 €.

In addition to alcohol from Chianti, you can bring local olive oil, cheeses, sausages and wild boar delicacies.

Wine tasting in Chianti

Any institution will offer visitors local wine. But some places are especially loved by Italians and the interest of foreign tourists.

In Panzano, queues line up for Antica Cecchini. This legendary butcher shop is famous for its Florentine steak, where the owner reads excerpts from Dante's Divine Comedy and pours home wine from his own cellars. In the shop of the butcher Dario Cecchini, there are autographs of fans of his creative approach to ink and work: Dustin Hoffman, Jack Nicholson, Elton John and other celebrities.

There are two Michelin star restaurants in Castellina, the chefs will prepare the dishes that best match the Chianti different years harvest.

In Radda, you can look into the Volpaia Castle, where tasting tours with freshly squeezed olive oil are held. Without a glass of wine, of course, they won't let you go either. The place of drinking will be an old church turned into a bar, or a picturesque garden.

At the Meleto castle in Gaiole, after a tour of the castle and the winery, they offer to taste wines, grappa, brandy with an appetizer of locally produced cold cuts. There is also honey and organic olive oil. Everything can be bought right there.

Today the post is contemplatively impractical: about jogging (and not only) with views in one of the most beautiful places in Tuscany.

Wine Chianti road or Via Chiantigiana leads from Florence to Siena. These are endless hills, vineyards, cantina wineries where the famous Chianti red wine is produced, and picturesque landscapes.

We stopped here on time in Italy and Switzerland, spending the night in a campground near the town of Castellina in Chianti.

Vehicle and place of residence - two in one

The conditions for jogging around the neighborhood turned out to be unrealistically ideal. The temperature is comfortable at the end of April, local roads with a minimum of traffic (in the early morning, beautiful cyclists are more common) and endless gentle hills, behind each of which is a new view. The most difficult thing here is to persuade yourself to stop and run back, there is always another mound, from which it is interesting to look.

Even then, having a modest half-marathon experience, I thought that it was possible to master a marathon here. It would be surprising if in such beautiful place it was not: the Chianti eco-marathon, held at the end of October, the route runs along good local dirt roads and trails. Starter pack includes a bottle of Chianti 😉