Which wineries in the Chianti or Monatalcino/Montepulciano area should we visit this May? <BR>Any you would not go to? <BR>Thanks

Do not make a decision until you know all your choices. Wine is too individual. Buy the Oz Clarke's Wine Companion to Tuscany. It is small enough to pack and contains descriptions, general ratings, pictures, beautiful map, plus information on villages, restaurants, market days etc. Invaluable if you are seriously interested in wines of the region.

A good site is www.chiantinews.com <BR>If you ask they will send you a map and information on the area. WE used the map last year to get around Tuscany's Black Rooster route. <BR> <BR>

<BR>I appreciate your input. I do have the Oz Clarke book/map and have been to the Chianti internet site, but was looking for some info on actual personal visits to specific wineries. The actual wines are less important regarding this visit than the experience of spending an hour or three at one of the vineyards mentioned in Clarke's book or anywhere else. Which one's are more interesting, pleasant, informative, overall positive experiences? <BR>Has anyone out there been to one? <BR>Thanks.

While it's not a winery, I suggest the enoteca in Montalchino. It's in an old castle (easy to find) and has a wonderful selection of brunellos. They were also slicing Italian bread and serving it with a local cheese that went well with the wine. We enjoyed the experience two years ago and will repeat it in June.

This is not on point for your question but if you are interested in Italian wine areas I highly suggest visting the Barolo wine area near Asti and Alba. <BR>I particularly enjoyed it in November when the white truffles(tartufi) are in season. <BR>It is in the Piedmont area south of Turin. <BR>It is a beautiful area and not visited much by Americans but a lot of German and other europeans it seems. <BR>