Italianissimo

Gaiole in Chianti

Voted by Forbes in 2008 as ‘the Most Idyllic Place To Live in Europe’, Gaiole in Chianti, located about 15 km northeast of Siena, is a town worth visiting. In the Middle Ages Gaiole, Castellina and Radda formed the Lega del Chianti, which became the heart of the Chianti region.

The Black Rooster (Il Gallo Nero), the symbol of Chianti: first, of the Chianti League in 13th century, and then of the Chianti Classico Consortium.

I strongly recommend a stop at The Gastronomia Le Cose Buone in Gaiole’s main street. The owner, Andrea Povia, is a master sommelier able to guide you through the real attractions of Gaiole: its Chianti Classico wine and gorgeous dishes made of high quality products. The food is absolutely divine here, simple, fresh and cooked with a passion that is almost tangible. I always feel like a happy soul each time I visit!

Genuine products and Andrea's cordiality are the perfect match. — Genuine products and Andrea’s cordiality are the perfect match.

Cantine Aperte (Open Wineries 2015), Part Two

Another important estate I highly recommend visiting is Il Borro.

The Ferragamo family have preserved this picturesque area of natural beauty.

Here we got a chance to taste gorgeous wines accompanied by local specialities. My pick? I really enjoyed the elegant tannins of Il Borro, with its ruby colour, dry taste and its good body and consistency. The broad and silky texture of this wine made me want another sip (and a piece of prosciutto, too)!

Another wine producer, Tenuta Vitereta, have offered their best wines that express their strong personality through the balance of various sensations and wide scents.

And since you need something to go with your wine, some local produce, like excellent salame and prosciutto, directly from the tree! (Should definitely plant one of these in my garden…)

And, finally, here we are!.. In front of the Ponte Buriano, a seven-arch bridge I bet you are all acquainted with. Want a hint? This bridge was used by Leonardo da Vinci in the lower-right quadrant of one of his paintings. Another hint? No, I guess you all recognize ‘the Bridge’ behind the Mona Lisa.

Cantine Aperte (Open Wineries 2015), Part One

Luckily, it’s Cantine Aperte 2015, which means the region’s main wine producers have opened their wine cellars for everyone to visit and taste their wines, free of charge.

Castello di Verrazzano is the first on my list. Situated in the heart of Chianti Classico wine production area, this estate offers guided tours all year round, by reservation.

Don’t miss a chance to visit this estate.

Giovanni da Verrazzano, who discovered the bay of New York and the main part of the East Coast of North America, was born here in 1485.

I’m so in love with this place! Its beautiful gardens, the centuries-old ageing cellars, and also the wild boars reared naturally in the surrounding woods. Enjoy the view!.. and taste the wine, of course!

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Chianti Classico. And every time I taste it, I realize how much I love its deep colour, good structure and elegant taste.

And in the afternoon, Greve in Chianti awaits, with a must-stop at the Antica Macelleria Falorni, a Tuscan butcher shop, to taste their salame, capocollo, finocchiona, prosciutto, rigatino and more.

It’s right in Piazza Matteotti, where you’ll find the Town Hall, the statue of Giovanni da Verrazzano, the Info Point and lots of artisan shops and restaurants beneath the arcades. It’s a beautiful square where every Saturday a big market of foodstuff takes place.

Just above Greve, is a beautiful village, enclosed within its original walls, Montefioralle, the birthplace of another Italian explorer, navigator and financier Amerigo Vespucci. The doorway of the Vespucci family house is identified by the wasp (= vespa) and a V.

Ciao!

I am Lucy. This blog is my way of sharing impressions coming from the beauty and magnificence of Italy, as wherever you go you feel your heartstrings tugging, and every part of it has got its own charming traditions.

Over the years, I’ve lived in different regions of Italy, which helped me embrace the ways of Italian living.

I love all things Italian, so you’ll find information and tips about where to discover unique places and works of art, taste local products, as well as some must-sees and must-dos, and maybe some recipes, too.

Benvenuti!

contact@myitalianissimo.com

The Beginning

Tuscany means happiness to me… This region with its historic grandeur and charming comtemporary way of living has always been bound up with my heart. So I feel like starting from here.

And I’m starting from Chianti.

Along the Chiantigiana Road, at a short distance from Tuscan par excellence as Florence and Siena, is the territory that greets you with its flavours, aromas and colours. Also known as Chiantishire , this land is full of castles, archaeological sites, as well as beautiful towns, thermal baths and places that have made of food and wine a real excellence.

It’s the end of May, and what better time to visit the picturesque landscapes, isolated farmhouses perched on hills, driveways lined with cypress trees… and… when you say Chianti, you’ll definitely wanna taste the gorgeous wine produced on this territory, since the Etruscan times, by people who have always preferred quality to quantity. Today Chianti means the guarantee of a noble wine.