Tastes and Treasures of Tuscany

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  Tuscany, Italy
Monday, February 22, 2010

Another morning in Florence but no rain…Stefano loads us into the Mercedes van and off we head to the Tuscan countryside. The region is renowned for its wines and vines, olive trees and pencil pines dominate the landscape. The scenery was breathtaking, awesome, almost orgasmic!! (was someone missing home?) Our first stop was the town of Monteriggoni and the sun was shining. This was built as a medieval fortress and is still surrounded by stone walls in excellent condition. It was early and no café or bar to be seen so we headed to our next destination – Montalcino, where the local wine makers  were launching the new Brunelli wine for the season. The town was perched on top of a hill and the views were spectacular. Our caffeine and pastry cravings were satisfied in a wonderful coffee shop, modern in décor, and run by two ladies. We wondered the streets and bought a bottle of the local wine to enjoy in the evening. Next stop was Pienza, the home of Pecorino cheese…what an awakening of the senses!  Between the cheese, truffles and cured meets the salivary glands were working overtime! We bought some Pecorino at 'La Tana del Goloso' to compliment our wine (and the cheese shop owner provided good eye candy!) Before we boarded the van we all experienced the joys of using ‘squat toilets’ – yes a ceramic rim on the ground – at least they were clean!

More winding roads through postcard countryside to Montepulciano where part of the ‘New Moon’ movie was filmed. As the skies opened and the hail started we decided to adjourn for lunch. After another bottle of wine, talgiatelle al ragu di coniglio (rabbit), ragu di chinghiale (wild boar), pici con ragu and gnocchi con funghi di porcini we felt like locals. With tummies over extended we rolled down to the piazza and saw lots of Renaissance architecture and were shocked to see Harry flying through the air, being chased by a vampire? We then visited one of the oldest wineries in the region – Contucci, celebrated 1000 years of wine making in 2008.  There were wines in the cupboard from 1887 and 1910….needless to say we didn’t taste test those! Adamo, the well renowned company representative gave us an in depth explanation of the wines and their characteristics….all in animated Italian aimed at the ladies!!

Our trip home was via the autostrada so while Louisa entertained Stefano the rest of us had a bit of much needed shut eye.  Our last stop was the Piazza Michelangelo, across the Fiume Arno, providing an amazing panoramic view of the whole of Florence, a must for visitors to the city. We were then dropped back to our hotel via the Palazzo Pitti and the Ponte Alle Grazie, rebuilt after being bombed during WW2.

This blog was written while we eat Picorino and drink Brunello di Montalcino….mama mi ma che buono!!  Paola

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Wine anybody   Comments!	Harry Playing Tourist	Coffee!	Harry in trouble!   Comments!
New Moon Piazza   Comments!	What a view!	Great view of Florence

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