WINE TOURS OF ITALY
Wine tour of Tuscany
4 NIGHTS / 5 DAYS
A glorious 4-night tour for up to 14 people accompanied by an experienced wine and food expert , discovering the land and the variety of the wines of Tuscany , in particular Chianti and Brunello .
Montalcino vineyards
We have always maintained that an appreciation of Tuscany is akin to the appreciation of life itself . Its classical landscape of rolling hills and vineyards dotted with olive and cypress trees , its misty green-grey mountains that are never too far distant , and perched hill towns of rich brown and golden stone harbouring priceless works of art that have defined western civilisation , creates a blend of natural earthiness and human endeavour that has lasted for centuries . From the Romans and before , through the Renaissance and the Risorgimento , to the present day , this soil and landscape has evolved but retained deep roots with its origins . In terms of wine production , Tuscany is incredibly important , offering a variety of different types of wine that reflect the variety of soil , altitude and climate ( the terroir ) of this region but also in terms of quality of wine produced and innovations in really quite recent years . Whilst Chianti Classico is one of the oldest delimited wine regions in the world , having been established some 300 years ago by the Grand Duke of Tuscany , Cosimo III , Tuscany also has given birth to some of the most prestigious and sought-after ‘ new ’ wines , the Super Tuscans , dating in significant numbers only since the 1970s . On this tour , we visit a range of some of the most interesting wine estates from the Classico heartland between Florence and Siena , reflecting the quality of the wine here as well as their subtle differences in style , to the revered Brunello di Montalcino and the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano . Not only will you receive a fascinating insight into the wines of Tuscany , this tour will also show you how agriculture shaped the history and social fabric of the region .
Our route takes us along typically winding Tuscan roads through dense forest which then suddenly give way glorious panoramas over the valleys below , tasting delicious red wines from the indigenous Sangiovese variety , with its hints of sour cherries and bramble notes . You explore Chianti Classico , the more southerly region of the Brunello , and appreciate the lighter notes of Vernaccia . In accompaniment to the fine wine of the region , Tuscan food is seasonal , unfussy and delicious , developed over the centuries as abbinamento for the local wines . Grapes are a favourite snack for the wild boar that roam the valleys , so the ideal solution for winemakers is the wild boar salami which appears as tempting antipasti with a glass of Chianti ! Simple food such as crostini drizzled with peppery olive oil from around Siena , maybe a slice of fennel scented salami , white beans with roasted pork lets the natural produce shine . On this tour , you will sample local food on wine estates and in local restaurants . As well as the wine and food , there is time to soak up the atmosphere in the small hilltop town of Radda-in-Chianti , explore Montalcino with its fortress and visit the mediaeval town of towers , San Gimignano .
Telephone number 01392 441250 Email info @ expressionsholidays . co . uk 2