September arrives, bringing with it the familiar anticipation of Vendemmia – the grape harvest in Toscana. The calendar, naturally, fills with the usual wonders: exclusive wine tastings, the joy of community harvest, explorations of the hallowed cantine, local fairs honouring Bacchus, intriguing mystery tours, and the pranzoni – those incredible, seasonal feasts. This year, however, due to particular climatic eccentricities and hot weather, vendemmia takes place sooner than usual. The forecast hints at a historically low yield, yet promises extraordinary grapes, albeit in very limited quantities. Heatwaves and extreme conditions have resulted in smaller, often atypical grapes, with significant quality variations even from one vineyard to the next. Follow the…
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A ROADTRIP THROUGH CHIANTI CLASSICO
GREVE AND MONTEFIORALLE Coming from Florence, Greve in Chianti is the natural gateway. The town grew around its triangular Piazza Matteotti, still lined with arcades and food shops, and its market tradition goes back centuries. This is where you start thinking about lunch before it is actually lunchtime. Go shopping. Antica Macelleria Falorni, established in 1729, is the obvious destination for Tuscan charcuterie: salame di cinghiale, finocchiona, prosciutto and other cured meats. But don’t stop at the butcher. Look into the small alimentari and wine shops around the piazza for pecorino, local olive oil, cantucci and bottles from the estates you will be passing later. Then make the short detour…
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TUSCANY #SINEQUANON: SEE? PERFECTION EXISTS
Plan on a minimum of two weeks here; this is not a place to fast-forward through. In Tuscany, you take your time, give in, and never resist temptation – this is where you learn the true meaning of slow travel. You really need the time to live it, not just visit it, and once you do it properly, you’ll find there’s no place quite like it. Intel Best time to visit: September. Transport: fly into Pisa or Florence and then rent a car – this is non-negotiable. Tuscany has the most beautiful medieval castles and villages, plus the most wonderful country roads. If you can’t freely move between those vineyards…
