Archive for 'Food and Wine'

Those who have found a vacation rental in Tuscany and are planning a trip to the region, are probably expecting to eat a lot of great food but they should also be excited for all of the wines that they will be able to try. I've heard many say that the Italians keep the best of their wines for themselves and travelling in Italy allows you to tap into that precious supply for yourself and see what you've been missing out on.

We have discussed wines and vineyards and wine shops on this blog on several occasions and thought it only fitting to put together a guide to the wines of Tuscany; the ones you won't want to miss and where to find them.

3. Vin Santo

Vin Santo is made in many parts of Italy, but the best comes from Tuscany. There are three recognized DOC’s in Tuscany for Vin Santo: Vin Santo del Chianti (created in 1997), Vin Santo del Chianti Classico (1995) and Vin Santo di Montepulciano (1996).

The cuisine of the region is reason enough to find a vacation rental in Tuscany and plan a trip. However, in addition to the rich tradition in delicious food, there is also a wonderful wine culture in Tuscany that makes people want to visit. We have previously discussed where you can find the best vineyards to visit and wine shops to frequent, on numerous occasions, but have never really talked about the wines of Tuscany in a general sense. So, here is your guide to the wines of Tuscany, the ones you won't want to miss and where to find them.

1. Brunello di Montalcino

One of the most famous Tuscan reds, Brunello di Montalcino is wine produced in the vineyards surrounding the town of Montalcino. Awarded the first Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) designation in 1980, the wine actually dates back as far as the early 14th century.

Tuscan food is one of the main things that draws people to the region as a holiday destination. So, if you have found a luxury villa in Florence, a vacation rental in Chianti or a holiday villa in Pisa, then you're probably looking forward to all the delicious foods you will get to eat! We have written about a lot of classic Tuscan dishes in the past and have given recipes so you can try and make them for yourself. Here are some of the most famous and important of those that we have covered and links to the recipes so you can get cooking while you plan your holiday!

1. Cacciucco Alla Viareggina

This typical Tuscan seafood soup comes from the famous seaside resort town of Viareggio and consists of octopus, cuttlefish, mussels, shrimp and more. It is a hearty traditional dish that will delight seafood lovers and while the garlic and fish may not leave you smelling the freshest, it's definitely worth the strong scent!

The Enoteca La Fortezza is an incredible wine shop and wine bar in the Tuscan town of Montalcino and is one of the first to have been established in the town. Founded in 1980 by Mario Pianigiani and Marzio Giannelli, it is located directly inside the main tower of the medieval fortress of Montalcino and, as a result, is not only an excellent store but is also a scenic and picturesque spot to grab a drink. Montalcino itself is famous as a wine producing town and is a perfect location for foodies and wine-lovers planning a trip to Tuscany. Just browse our luxury villas in Montalcino and get to organising a perfect, food-and-wine-filled holiday.

Mario and Marzio were ahead of the curve and established their business time when there were no more than 30 producers of Brunello di Montalcino, the town's famous wine. Today, it is an international name and powerhouse and the business has gone from strength to strength. The store was bought over by Fabio Tassi in 2002, who continued to build the brand enthusiastically and the store is now a landmark.

If you have found a luxury villa in Florence, you are probably planning to track down and visit as many of the city's important tourist attractions and cultural gems as possible and that's busy work that will be sure to work up an appetite! Tuscany and Florence, in particular, are wonderful places to be hungry as there is a wealth of incredible dishes and a staggering amount of restaurants and eateries to choose from. If you are planning your visit for March, then you're really in luck as that is when Taste, the biggest foodie festival in the city, takes place!

Now in its 13th edition, Taste is an annual hybrid fair for both traders and the general public that began in 2006 and is an exploration and celebration of food, beverages, hospitality and restaurants in Italy. Planned as a collaboration between Pitti Immagine Srl and Davide Paolini, the fair will take place at Stazione Leopolda from March 10th to 12th this year.