How do you go 'wine tasting' or 'olive oil tasting' in Tuscany?
May 29th, 2005, 07:32 AM
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How do you go 'wine tasting' or 'olive oil tasting' in Tuscany?
My husband and I are looking very much to this part of our trip... we have rented a car to go at our own leisure.
We live in the Pacific Northwest, between the Yakima Valley and Columbia Valley, which have some pretty wonderful wines. We go wine tasting a couple of times a year. We drive from winery to winery, and taste small sips of the different wines the wineries have to offer. They rarely have a charge, but sometimes do.
So my question is, when wine touring/tasting (and olive oil too) in Tuscany, does it pretty much work the same way? What is different? Would it be better to get a tour guide to help us? If there is someone who has done this, and could give us an idea of how it works, I'd be much obliged!!
Billie
We live in the Pacific Northwest, between the Yakima Valley and Columbia Valley, which have some pretty wonderful wines. We go wine tasting a couple of times a year. We drive from winery to winery, and taste small sips of the different wines the wineries have to offer. They rarely have a charge, but sometimes do.
So my question is, when wine touring/tasting (and olive oil too) in Tuscany, does it pretty much work the same way? What is different? Would it be better to get a tour guide to help us? If there is someone who has done this, and could give us an idea of how it works, I'd be much obliged!!
Billie
May 29th, 2005, 08:19 AM
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nbbrown--I just returned from 2 weeks in Chianti/Tuscany and also spent a week in southern tuscany last October. I'll try to answer some of your questions.
Wine tasting in Italy does not work the same way as in Calif. or as you described in the US. There is rarely a tasting room with staff open for visitors to just drop in on. The wineries will receive visitors if you call ahead and make an appointment but this will inhibit your freedom and is difficult because you don't know how long it takes to get there and where they are exactly. It can be done however and the more organized have options for lunch as well but once again, this can be time consuming and expensive.
The region you are exploring can make a difference--Chianti Classico in Chianti, Rosso di Montepulciano in Montepulciano, Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino in Montalcino, Super Tuscans all over Tuscany. The towns will have some tasting rooms owned by specific wineries which rarely charge and are excellent options. Enotecas, most notably La Fortezza and Osticcio in Montalcino(for Brunellos), the Fortezza in Siena and best of all, Le Cantine in Greve will give you the best chance to sample different wineries--these all charge nominally by the taste for very good wines. But there are enotecas in the major cities and smaller towns as well as retail outlets for local wineries in the major tourist towns. If you have a particular interest in a wine or winery, make an appointment and it is likely you will be invited. You will likely be the only ones there and it is akin to be invited to your "aunt's house". There is no requirement to buy but you will feel obligated.
My experience has suggested that a focus on wine is a great way to experience the area and has led to some fabulous scenery and experiences (as well as great tales to tell back home). Just don't expect to be as "efficient" as it is on the West Coast i.e. able to drop in and drive from tasting room to tasting room.
Cin Cin! Paul
Wine tasting in Italy does not work the same way as in Calif. or as you described in the US. There is rarely a tasting room with staff open for visitors to just drop in on. The wineries will receive visitors if you call ahead and make an appointment but this will inhibit your freedom and is difficult because you don't know how long it takes to get there and where they are exactly. It can be done however and the more organized have options for lunch as well but once again, this can be time consuming and expensive.
The region you are exploring can make a difference--Chianti Classico in Chianti, Rosso di Montepulciano in Montepulciano, Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino in Montalcino, Super Tuscans all over Tuscany. The towns will have some tasting rooms owned by specific wineries which rarely charge and are excellent options. Enotecas, most notably La Fortezza and Osticcio in Montalcino(for Brunellos), the Fortezza in Siena and best of all, Le Cantine in Greve will give you the best chance to sample different wineries--these all charge nominally by the taste for very good wines. But there are enotecas in the major cities and smaller towns as well as retail outlets for local wineries in the major tourist towns. If you have a particular interest in a wine or winery, make an appointment and it is likely you will be invited. You will likely be the only ones there and it is akin to be invited to your "aunt's house". There is no requirement to buy but you will feel obligated.
My experience has suggested that a focus on wine is a great way to experience the area and has led to some fabulous scenery and experiences (as well as great tales to tell back home). Just don't expect to be as "efficient" as it is on the West Coast i.e. able to drop in and drive from tasting room to tasting room.
Cin Cin! Paul
May 29th, 2005, 09:26 AM
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This doesn't exactly answer your question, but I have an idea that you may like.
If you stay in Florence, I can recommend a little trattoria where you can have bruschetta with about 12 different types of olive oil. They bring out this huge tray filled with small containers of different flavors of olive oil. One is sweet, one spicy, one with rosemary, etc. They also have THE best grilled vege plate ever. I haven't tasted anything better since. It's called Trattoria Il Giova.
Via Borgo La Croce 73r
phone: 055.248.06.39
(From Piazza Salvemini walk east on Via Pietrapiana (which becomes Borgo la Croce)
Prices are super reasonable. They only have about 5 or 6 tables so either reserve or arrive early. They're open for lunch and dinner. I recommend dinner because they don't serve the grilled veges for lunch. I doubt that they serve the bruschetta with olive oil for lunch either. This is off the beaten path and run by a couple who do everything. (cook, wait tables, etc) But shhhh! don't tell anyone else on this board!
If you stay in Florence, I can recommend a little trattoria where you can have bruschetta with about 12 different types of olive oil. They bring out this huge tray filled with small containers of different flavors of olive oil. One is sweet, one spicy, one with rosemary, etc. They also have THE best grilled vege plate ever. I haven't tasted anything better since. It's called Trattoria Il Giova.
Via Borgo La Croce 73r
phone: 055.248.06.39
(From Piazza Salvemini walk east on Via Pietrapiana (which becomes Borgo la Croce)
Prices are super reasonable. They only have about 5 or 6 tables so either reserve or arrive early. They're open for lunch and dinner. I recommend dinner because they don't serve the grilled veges for lunch. I doubt that they serve the bruschetta with olive oil for lunch either. This is off the beaten path and run by a couple who do everything. (cook, wait tables, etc) But shhhh! don't tell anyone else on this board!
May 29th, 2005, 12:01 PM
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Thanks, all. We aren't staying in Florence, but do plan a day there, so maybe we can check out the little trattoria. It sounds wonderful!
Macanimals, your advice sounds good. I wonder if our hotel can make a type of 'agenda' for us? Or maybe they know which wineries are open regularly.
We are staying between Pienza and Montepulciano, but plan to do a good bit of site seeing!
Macanimals, your advice sounds good. I wonder if our hotel can make a type of 'agenda' for us? Or maybe they know which wineries are open regularly.
We are staying between Pienza and Montepulciano, but plan to do a good bit of site seeing!
May 29th, 2005, 01:54 PM
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macanimals advice is spot on.
if you are interested in tasting for tasting for only the wine's sake, as macanimals mentions, there are enoticas all over and they are very convenient and accessable.
to immerse yourself in the whole atmosphere of the wine and winery that you seem to enjoy in the US, why not stay in a vineyard agriturismo? these places offer a very personal experience..most likely you will be invited to dine with the family, you will try their wines, and you will have an explanation of everything. i don't know if any wineries do this but it is very common for vineyards (and i suppose olive producers) to rent out apartments on the farm. many are a very high standard with pools, tennis, etc. the number of rooms/apartments is usually quite small (under 5 or so). since they are not hotels, many have a week minimum but shorter stays of 4-5 days may be possible to arrange, especially in the off season.
if you are interested in tasting for tasting for only the wine's sake, as macanimals mentions, there are enoticas all over and they are very convenient and accessable.
to immerse yourself in the whole atmosphere of the wine and winery that you seem to enjoy in the US, why not stay in a vineyard agriturismo? these places offer a very personal experience..most likely you will be invited to dine with the family, you will try their wines, and you will have an explanation of everything. i don't know if any wineries do this but it is very common for vineyards (and i suppose olive producers) to rent out apartments on the farm. many are a very high standard with pools, tennis, etc. the number of rooms/apartments is usually quite small (under 5 or so). since they are not hotels, many have a week minimum but shorter stays of 4-5 days may be possible to arrange, especially in the off season.
May 29th, 2005, 07:01 PM
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I agree with macanimals that many vineyards (especially, of course, the smaller ones) do not have tastings or tasting rooms like they do in California (which is the only other place that I've been to wine tastings). It is relatively easy to arrange some, though. And enotecas are lots of fun, if you go that route.
Last October my husband and I stayed in southern Tuscany, and he visited a number of vineyards (I was otherwise occupied riding horses each day). We were close to Montalcino, and hubby loves Brunello, so he focused on that. I got a list of wine producers and locations of the vineyards before our trip from “The Food and Wine Lover’s Companion to Tuscany,” by Carla Capalbo, which has an exhaustive chapter on Montalcino and its wines. Hubby chose some he liked, and our hotel arranged visits and tastings for him. At each (except one) he was one of a very small group, and really enjoyed the "wine chats" he had with the person leading the group. He visited Biondi Santi, Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona and Casanova dei Neri, which I gather are all small producers of high-quality Brunello. The last visit was to Castello Banfi (I visited this one too), which has the biggest vineyards in Italy (and biggest exporter to the U.S.). You can taste wines here without going on a tour, and I found the Castello Banfi a lot like wine tastings in California (complete with hordes of Americans). Castello Banfi's estate is incredibly gorgeous.
In terms of olive-oil tastings, we did that at a charming place in Montalcino called Enoteca Osteria Osticcio, on via Matteoti, 23, which is a classy-but-welcoming wine bar with a gorgeous view over the countryside. They offer wine flights and other foods as well.
Have a wonderful trip!
Last October my husband and I stayed in southern Tuscany, and he visited a number of vineyards (I was otherwise occupied riding horses each day). We were close to Montalcino, and hubby loves Brunello, so he focused on that. I got a list of wine producers and locations of the vineyards before our trip from “The Food and Wine Lover’s Companion to Tuscany,” by Carla Capalbo, which has an exhaustive chapter on Montalcino and its wines. Hubby chose some he liked, and our hotel arranged visits and tastings for him. At each (except one) he was one of a very small group, and really enjoyed the "wine chats" he had with the person leading the group. He visited Biondi Santi, Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona and Casanova dei Neri, which I gather are all small producers of high-quality Brunello. The last visit was to Castello Banfi (I visited this one too), which has the biggest vineyards in Italy (and biggest exporter to the U.S.). You can taste wines here without going on a tour, and I found the Castello Banfi a lot like wine tastings in California (complete with hordes of Americans). Castello Banfi's estate is incredibly gorgeous.
In terms of olive-oil tastings, we did that at a charming place in Montalcino called Enoteca Osteria Osticcio, on via Matteoti, 23, which is a classy-but-welcoming wine bar with a gorgeous view over the countryside. They offer wine flights and other foods as well.
Have a wonderful trip!
May 30th, 2005, 07:14 AM
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It sounds like Enotecas are the way to go, with maybe a stop or two at a winery (if they're open) to get the whole experience. I hesitate to make reservations at wineries since we'd really like to just mosey along at our own pace.
Walkin, we've already made our reservations, and they're at a vineyard, so that was a great suggestion! Not so much an agritourism place, but maybe? They also offer cooking classes, which I think would be fun.
Lexma, I've made a note of the Enoteca Osteria Osticcio. That sounds much like what we're looking for.
Thank you!!
Walkin, we've already made our reservations, and they're at a vineyard, so that was a great suggestion! Not so much an agritourism place, but maybe? They also offer cooking classes, which I think would be fun.
Lexma, I've made a note of the Enoteca Osteria Osticcio. That sounds much like what we're looking for.
Thank you!!
May 30th, 2005, 11:04 AM
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Looks like you will be in a good area to explore italian wines. Certainly your hosts will have advice as to available options to taste and i would consult them. Here are a few websites for you to begin your inquiry--www.enotecalafortezza.it/ & www.osticcio.com/index.htm . Also www.consorziobrunellodimontalcino.it/ is the governing authority for Brunello and other Montalcino wines and is a terrific resource for location and contacts to the individual wineries. Banfi is as NYCFoodSnob suggests open for business and has a stylish tasting room, does tours and meals. Barbi is much smaller but has similar options. Don't overlook the free tasting rooms in Montepulciano.
May 30th, 2005, 11:17 AM
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Sorry the last post got sent inadvertently(not sure how that happens!). As for olive oils, they are available for tasting in most tourist spots in the epicurian shops--just ask and they'll generally let you try with bread. We favor a shop on the east side of Pienza--Monaci Remo--probably more b/c of tradition than anything else but I've got a 5 litri can here for our loyalty. Have a great time and safe journey. Cin Cin! Paul
May 31st, 2005, 07:27 AM
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Mac... thank you, thank you for your suggestions. For some reason, I just thought 'enoteca' was a wine store.. I didn't know there was tastings as well, and sometimes food. And we definitely plan to visit Montepulciano and will look for the wine tastings there. Thank you also for your suggestions for trying olive oils at a culinary shop... I love to cook so will probably be stopping in a few of these!
Thank you again for taking time to answer my question!
B.
Thank you again for taking time to answer my question!
B.
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