Page 61 - Lonely Planet Europe’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

TUSCAN REDS

Something of a viticultural powerhouse, Tuscany excites wine buffs with its myriad
of full-bodied, highly respected reds. Like all Italian wines, these are classified
according to strict guidelines, with the best denominated Denominazione di Origine
Controllata e Garantita (DOCG), followed by Denominazione di Origine Controllata
(DOC) and Indicazione di Geografica Tipica (IGT).
Chianti
Cheery, full and dry, contemporary Chianti gets the thumbs up from wine critics.
Produced in eight subzones from Sangiovese and a mix of other grape varieties,
Chianti Classico is the best known, with its Gallo Nero (Black Cockerel) emblem that
once symbolised the medieval Chianti League. Young, fun Chianti Colli Senesi from
the Siena hills is the largest subzone; Chianti delle Colline Pisane is light and soft in
style; and Chianti Rùfina comes from the hills east of Florence. ITALY 3 TUSCAN WINE TOUR
Brunello di Montalcino
Brunello is up there at the top with Italy’s most prized wines. The product of
Sangiovese grapes, it must spend at least two years ageing in oak. It is intense and
complex with an ethereal fragrance, and is best paired with game, wild boar and
roasts. Brunello grape rejects go into Rosso di Montalcino, Brunello’s substantially
cheaper but wholly drinkable kid sister.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Prugnolo Gentile grapes (a clone of Sangiovese) form the backbone of the
distinguished Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Its intense but delicate nose and dry,
vaguely tannic taste make it the perfect companion to red meat and mature cheese.
Super Tuscans
Developed in the 1970s, the Super Tuscans are wines that fall outside the traditional
classification categories. As a result they are often made with a combination of
local and imported grape varieties, such as Merlot and Cabernet. Sassacaia, Solaia,
Bolgheri, Tignanello and Luce are all super-hot Super Tuscans.

gourmet’s tour of Tus- www.dariocecchini.com; Via 3pm Mon-Sat), a casual
cany. Here you can stock XX Luglio 11; set menu €50; daytime eatery. Book
up on meaty picnic fare hsittings at 1pm & 8pm), ahead for the Officina
at L’Antica Macelleria which serves a simple set and Solociccia.
Cecchini (www.dariocec- menu based on bistecca;
chini.com; Via XX Luglio 11; Solociccia (%055 85 27 The Drive » From Panzano,
it’s about 20 kilometres to the
h9am-4pm), a celebrated 27; www.dariocecchini.com; Castello di Ama. Strike south
butcher’s shop run by Via Chiantigiana 5; set menus on the SR222 towards Radda
the poetry-spouting €30 & €50; hsittings at 1pm, in Chianti, enjoying views off to
guru of Tuscan meat, 7pm & 9pm), where guests the right as you wend your way
Dario Cecchini. Alter- share a communal table through the green countryside.
natively, you can eat at to sample meat dishes At Croce, just beyond Radda,
one of his three eater- other than bistecca; and turn left and head towards
Lecchi and San Sano. The
ies: the Officina della Dario DOC (www.dario Castello di Ama is signposted
Bistecca (%055 85 21 76; cecchini.com; Via XX Luglio after a further 7km.
11; menus €10-20; hnoon-

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