We are going to Italy for two weeks at the end of May and are interested in visiting a numbers of vineyards. I am wondering how best to figure out which to visit. Also should we drive (we have a car rented) or take a tour? Any recommendations?

This - - www.kilkelly.com/Chianti.html- - might seem like just a drop in the ocean (of information on the wines, vineyards and winemakers of Tuscany), but it gives a decent overview, and it specifically lists one of the biggest sellers - - Rocca delle Macie - - at the premier Italian market** here in my hometown (Columbus, Ohio). <BR> <BR>Note also that it recommends tow enoteca choices in Castellina in Chianti, where wine is served for tasting. In my experience, this is every bit as good as going to a wine producer or vineyard. Go, sit for an hour or two, have the proprietor guide you through the tasting of three or four wines, narrowing in on what YOU like. Then buy a bottle or two - - or more. You'll have the pleasure of re-living, and seeing if it tastes like what you remember, rather than buying some bottles by label only. <BR> <BR>Oh yes, and by all means, Rebecca, DRIVE! <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR> <BR>**footnote (to my "fans") - - what, you think I'm going to GIVE AWAY the names of my favorite haunts? wink... grocery tours are calling your name... come... come... LOL! <BR> <BR>

to the top... for Rebecca - - who apparently may have had trouble finding this. <BR> <BR>Postscript: If this forum had an easier way to locate and direct readers to a specific (previous) posting by a unique identifier (timestamp), it would not be necessary to top (and repeat) information so tediously. This is my new crusade, and I am thinking about adding this postscript (when applicable) to every new reply I make here. If you agree with me, then please write to Danny Mangin or David Downing - - [email protected] - - and encourage them to move forward with this improvement (and any others they have up their sleeves) to this best-on-the-web travel forum! <BR>

Hi <BR>I haven't done this drive yet, but <BR>I have this information <BR> <BR>For the Chianti region, there's a great, detailed map available free on the web. <BR>www.monterinaldi.it/en/. Click on "The Map of Chianti Classico area", fill in your name & address on the next screen, and you'll get a map in the mail in a few weeks. It's 1:80,000 in scale, <BR>so it's quite detailed. As a bonus, it shows exactly where all of the Chianti wine estates are located. <BR>

to the top (again) for Rebecca...

I give up on trying to understand how to help people politely. Rebecca has written to me and told me that my e-mail to her was condescending and rude. <BR>