Tuscany is renowned the world over for its grapes, and May and June are the months for both connoisseurs and novice wine enthusiasts to enjoy the region’s top-quality product: wine. Fancy sipping a glass of Chianti while listening to a piano recital in a medieval castle, or meeting the wine producers themselves while tasting their vintages in a picturesque hilltop town? Tuscany is rife with opportunities to taste and discover the best wines the region has to offer.
One of the most popular annual wine events of the season is Cantine Aperte. On May 26, more than 1,000 wine cellars in Italy—among them some 70 in Tuscany—will open their doors for visits and tastings. Tour the vineyards and cellars producing the region’s top wines to learn about all aspects of production, from growing and harvesting grapes to pressing and fermentation. You’ll have the chance to talk to the winemakers themselves, and, of course, taste the results of their hard work. Some places also offer tastings of olive oil and other local foods, and many of Tuscany’s winemaking towns, such as Chianti, San Gimignano and Montepulciano often hold special events, meals and visits. See the list of participating cellars at www.movimentoturismovino.it; then plan your route, hop in the car and get tasting!
A celebration of one of the most historic and well-known Tuscan wines, Chianti Classico, takes place from May 24 until June 2 in the Chianti area. During the Chianti Classico è festival, visitors can sample wines and street food, visit vineyards, go cycling, attend exhibits and flower markets, listen to live music, discover astronomy, vintage motorcycles, traditional cooking and much more. The events take place in various vineyards and town centres: for more information, visit www.classico-e.it.
For those looking to take the wine tasting experience to the next level, Melodia del Vino is an experience for all the senses: the events combine wine with classical music in beautiful locations in Tuscany. Renowned international musicians, among them Ukrainian Alexander Romanovsky and the French Henri Demarquette, will perform in castles, villas and wineries that are normally closed to the public, while visitors enjoy the venue, music and fine vintages on offer. The series of concerts runs from June 27 to July 6; see www.melodiadelvino.it for details.
Wines from Montecarlo (Lucca) are the focus of Viavinaria, which takes place in the town on May 25 and 26. Visit historic sites in Montecarlo, which are free for the weekend, such as the church of Sant’Andrea, the Pieve of San Piero in Campo and the Wine Museum in Palazzo Lavagna. There are plenty of opportunities to taste a range of vintages in town, but for those who want to discover the local vineyards, there is also a free ‘wine bus’ to nearby cellars, olive groves and farms. See www.comune.montecarlo.lu.it for more information.
Finally, Toscanello d’Oro will bring the wine festivities to Pontassieve, from May 30 to June 2. During this celebration of Chianti Rufina wine, the town and surrounding vineyards offer plenty of tasting opportunities, as well as free music and exhibits, sports competitions and a historical parade on June 2. Call 055/8360239 or visit www.comune.pontassieve.fi.it for details.
