Enjoy the beauty of Tuscany and the pleasure of wine at two of May’s most delightful events: Alla Corte del Vino and Cantine Aperte.
In the gardens of the splendid Villa Corsini, beautifully situated in the Chianti hills on the road leading from San Casciano to Mercatale, more than 100 wineries show their newest and best at Alla Corte del Vino. Prince Corsini’s event, held May 17 and 18, offers a chance to update your wine index and get to know the new labels from some of Tuscany’s finest wineries.
One of the event’s highlights is buying the wine you’ve just tasted. Upon entrance, visitors receive a complete list of wines and prices and can simply indicate what and how much they would like to buy. You can enjoy a fabulous day of wine tasting and return home to a stock of new favorites!
Among the many options for lunch is my favorite: a lunchbox filled with cheeses, baccelli beans and a hunk of Tuscan bread. The acres of shaded grass under ancient trees offer places to rest and enjoy the surroundings.
For 17 years, all of Italy has reserved the last Sunday in May for Cantine Aperte. Last year, over four million people visited the country’s wineries during ‘Open Cellars’ as they threw open their doors and showed off production facilities.
My recipe for a great Cantine Aperte day in Tuscany? Organize a group of friends (one must have a car), appoint the most computer savvy to download a list of open cellars from www.movimentoturismovino.it and plan your trip. Put the star navigator up front, and, to ensure a safe trip back, make sure the driver is someone who likes viewing the Tuscan countryside more than drinking wine. That said, everyone in the car should be prepared for a day of discussion about vines, harvesting, barrels, barriques, fermentation, and bottling.
During Cantine Aperte, I will be around Tuscany all day starting at sunrise. I’ll have my maps and lists, and, of course, my faithful Blackberry, so if you are desperate or disoriented, email me (m.badiani@theflorentine.net) and I’ll do my best to help. Also, if you find something worth mentioning, let me know so I can keep it in mind for next year’s Cantine Aperte.
For helpful wine tasting hints and Marco Badiani’s favorite cellar itineraries, see the Cantine Aperte special at www.theflorentine.net
