Could you possibly think about something more relaxing than a day in the Chianti area? I believe not. This is a real Tuscan experience. The gorgeous rolling hills plotted with olive groves, vineyards, cypress trees and farm houses are simply overwhelming. Add to this a wine tasting and you cannot ask for more!
Chianti is an area between Florence and Siena and famous for the red wine made out of Sangiovese grapes. This wine was exported abroad, in particular to England, already in the Middle Ages. It was so popular that the grand duke of Tuscany, Cosimo III of the Medici family, had to enact a law in 1716 to protect the Chianti wine against counterfeits.
Leaving Florence we go south taking the ancient and tortuous road ”la Chiantigiana”
We stop in one of the enchanting villages which is part of the so-called Chianti Classico, Greve in Chianti, for a short visit. Greve was included in the Chianti area already in 1716. Today the zone is much vaster and that is why there is a difference between a Chianti wine and a Chianti Classico one. The latter is only produced in the original smaller part of the territory and has a black rooster as its symbol.
Greve in Chianti is the hometown of the navigator Giovanni da Verrazzano who discovered the bay of New York in the 1520-ies. We meet his statue in the charming square of Greve. Here we have a little bit of time to explore this picturesque village or just to chill out before we head towards our winery.
The winery is embedded in an incredibly appealing landscape. We will have a guided tour of the premises including the wine cellar and obviously we will enjoy an amazing winetasting with some snacks. Before we return to Florence we will be able to purchase or order the local products of the winery (wine, extra virgin olive oil et.c.).
