The River Arno from our hotel

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The River Arno from our hotel

Florence Wine & City

6 - 9 November 2007

This unusual long weekend is based in the wonderful city of Florence, in an ideally situated hotel close to the banks of the River Arno and to the Boboli Gardens and Ponte Vecchio.

Close to the city are the beautiful rolling hills of Chianti, studded with cypress and olive trees, and vineyards, of course.
The Chianti region is divided into sub-regions and our visits on this day will be in both Chianti Classico and Chianti Rufina. Chianti Classico is the heartland of the Chianti region, with its hill-top castles, villas and many vineyards. It arguably produces the top wines and was awarded DOCG status (denominazione di Origine controllata) in the mid 1990’s. Chianti Rufina is the smallest Chianti sub-region and produces some of the most elegant style of wines which can age incredibly well.

After lunch there is time to stroll round the hilltop town and perhaps drop into one of the classic cafès to taste the delicious local cakes, or browse in the delicatessens where you’ll see a local delicacy, wild boar salami.

We have been taking tours to this region since 1990, so have quite a few excellent estates to choose from to escort you to.
As on all the Wine & City tours the Wine Guide will present an introductory tasting on the first evening, then on this and the other evenings you make your own choice of restaurant, though as always our suggestions are available to help. If you are looking for a more intensive wine experience and a fully escorted tour, the ‘Tuscan Academy’ is the following week.