Hi all

thought I'd start a thread on your favorite wines (and wineries) you sampled or bought on your trip(s) to Tuscany.

what wineries had the best views, in your opinion? you know, to fully enjoy the sampling - sitting on a terrace, surveying the vineyards as you sip...

Cantina Redi in Montepulciano is the place that sticks out in my mind, though it actually had the opposite of a view- it had very interesting underground caves! I highly recommend exploring that one...you can actually begin at the top of the hill, near the main Piazza, and travel down the stairs and through the cave area. You end up at a sliding door that takes you right into the tasting room- it felt very much to me like a "hidden door bookcase" from an old movie!

Though Vino Nobile is the king of that region, I really liked a white wine that we sampled there (so we purchased two bottles!).

Il Palaggio

Castel Verazzanno

Collo Verde

....there are so many!...

Avignonesi between Montepulciano and Arezzo. The room in which they dry the grapes for vin santo is particularly interesting. This is one of the best regarded producers of vino nobile and of vin santo.

One of the best winery views in Italy is from the Castello di Verrazzano http://www.verrazzano.com/welcome_gb.htm . It might not be possible to taste there unless you're part of a group, but try not to miss a visit to the grounds. Another possibility is Vignamaggio http://www.vignamaggio.it/uk_visite_degustazioni.htm where you can do a tasting for sure. For general info on the Chianti area - www.greve-in-chianti.com .

marking