Tuscan scene

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Tuscan scene

Tuscany

24 - 28 May 2009

On this classic wine tour of Italy there is a great Italian spirit. A wonderful blend of respect for tradition and a determined attitude to increasing quality makes Italy one of the most exciting wine regions of the world, and nowhere more so than Tuscany.

The Italian wine scene in Tuscany has undergone a dramatic change in the past twenty five years. Long gone are the straw covered fiascos of Chianti and DOC wines of questionable standards. Tuscany was at the forefront of a revolution making world-class wines from international grape varieties, and since then it has been transformed again returning to concentrate on producing superb traditional regional wines exploring the superb qualities of their native grape varieties.

From our charming 4* hotel, just south of Castellina in Chianti, in the midst of the rolling hills of Chianti, we visit a hand-picked selection of the top wine estates to taste the traditional Chianti Classico, which at this level qualify for some of the most impressive wines of Italy. The main grape variety is Sangiovese, which appears in many guises.

In the Chianti Classico region, we will be visiting some of the leading estates of Tuscany, including Isole e Olena. We taste some of the best Vernaccia di San Gimignano from Teruzzi & Puthod before lunchtime in the medieval hilltop town of San Gimignano itself. We also head to the DOCG of Brunello di Montalcino to taste with the leading producers there.

One of the attractions of this wonderful tour is not only the outstanding wines but also there is time to explore some of the Classic Tuscans towns including time in Siena and the renaissance city of Florence. Plus being late spring-time, the countryside will be looking at its very best, with wild flowers in the hedge-rows and the vines bursting into life. Why not stay on for a few days after or before the tour to explore Florence, from our favourite 4* hotel on the banks of the Arno.

Why not stay on and enjoy Florence for a couple of nights?
We highly recommend the Hotel Berchielli, an elegant and comfortable 4* hotel on the River Arno. For two nights B&B here in a twin River View superior room, the additional cost is just £250 per person bringing the total tour cost to £1599 for 6 nights in four star hotels. The coach will drop you at the hotel after we drop the other clients at Pisa. Return ransfer to the airport is not included, but there is a direct and very regular train from the centre of Florence to Pisa airport terminal or the hotel can arrange a taxi for you if you prefer.

Click here to go to Tuscany Wine Notes