Sampling Tuscany’s Red Wines

Hi Everyone =)

Today I thought I would give you an informational post about Tuscany’s red wines. My husband and I got married in Florence and we actually have two bottles of chianti on our dining room table from our wedding almost 7 years ago. Every time I look at them, they bring back, of course, wonderful memories =)

Among the many things Italy is known for is its winemaking prestige. Home to some of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world, the Italian peninsula was even referred to in ancient times as “enotria,” which means “land of wine,” thanks largely to its many acres of land dedicated to winemaking, not to mention its wide and rich diversity of grapes.

Chianti BottleWhen it comes to red wine, a region in the country that arguably stands out from among the rest is Tuscany. The variety of grapes cultivated here is Sangiovese, which of course is what Chiantis are mostly comprised of. This is why Tuscany has also come to be known in wine-tasting circles as “Chianti’s Home.” Chiantis are favored the world over for their crisp, herb-inflected taste, meaning they go well with slightly light-tasting meals such as authentic Italian spaghetti.

Those looking for a more genuine taste should look for Chianti Classico variants, which come right from the heart of the historic Chianti district itself. Classico Riservas are the best of these, needing to be aged for at least two years and three months.

Needless to say, Classicos can be rather expensive. Cheaper ones costing about $10 a pop are always available; or you could take a page from Marks and Spencer wine guru Chris Murphy and sample a Villa Puccini instead. It isn’t exactly Chianti, but it’s as close to Classico’s taste as you’re going to get while on a budget.

Other great red wine varieties from the region include Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Carmignano. Brunello is a much sought-after wine by connoisseurs and has since become one of Italy’s most expensive wines. Vino Nobile presents a much darker, fuller taste than what Chianti lovers are used to. In contrast, the fact that Sangiovese grapes take longer to ripen in the sub-region of Carmignano means that its namesake wines have a relatively leaner – and probably more interesting to some – taste.

These are but a few samplings of the many more red wonders Tuscany has in store, making the region the best place to start for anyone who wishes to cultivate a taste for finer beverages.

Now, I hope you enjoyed learning more about Tuscany’s red wines…..all you need to do now is just book your ticket to Italy!

Buona Giornata!

Wanita =)

For delicious recipes, be sure to check out my new eBook “Cucina Siciliana” filled with lots of truly authentic recipes given to me by family and friends here in Sicily….it’s only 99 cents!

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