MAPPING TUSCANY

I'm writing a book (which has been published in the meantime). Hence I raise the word count by cutting down on aperitifs (not an easy feat in my Tuscan village ),  and I keep the storyline going  by dodging invitations to Sunday lunch. But when I know that the table will look like this... and the food like this it's hard to resist... Hence we drove to the Chianti and followed the crowd through the woods  to jump into  the midst of the clatter, chatter and laughter of a Tuscan Christmas gathering, which was cleverly interrupted by countryside walks to make sure there was room for more, until - inevitably - the moment arrived, when all the plates were licked and the last bottle of Chianti was emptied and it was time to go home (you said you drive, right?).  INGREDIENTS FOR A TUSCAN GATHERING Lunch was organized by Emiko Davies and Giulia from Juls' Kitchen , who with the help of their respective partn...

Over a decade ag o a group of Italian tourists  from the Veneto quickly s topped at one of Cinigiano's two small bars to ask for directions to famous Montalcino.  They left three days later.  The historic center of my Tuscan town  may not be much of a sight ,  but the  village bars have a certain reputation. In fact the aforementioned group has  been coming back every year. And rumo rs have it that they still haven't gotten around to make the drive to Brunello town .    WHAT TO  SEE A stroll through Cinigiano's tiny town center will make it obvious - the views towards Mount Amiata and over the  Maremma countryside  are the main attraction.  For more of them h op into your car and drive to one of the hamlets and villages which belong to Cinigiano's territory. Medieval looking Monticello Amiata is up on 734 meters and with that perfect for a cool  breeze on a hot summer day (and for freezing winds in ...

The most intriguing thing about organic wineries apart of production standards and grape varieties, are the people behind them and the reasons why they chose to go green in Tuscany.  Milan born Antonella Manuli runs the La Maliosa winery in Southern Tuscany according to organic and biodynamic principles - not the first thing you'd expect from somebody who left Italy to study for a degree in business administration in the US.  Antonella was managing director and later president of the Terme di Saturnia Resort until she decided to dedicate herself entirely to her Tuscan vineyard, her two kids and the winning of the odd golf tournament here and there.  Other people are into banking, sailing or shoemaking. Which winds blew you on top of a Tuscan hill?   I come from the business world, but I made a personal and ideological choice to create La Maliosa in a land that I love. Why your particular DOC area? Any interesting facts and figures about your Tuscan wine ma...

Organic tastes better, organic is the right choice for the planet,  organic is healthier for your kids and yourself.  Whatever science and consumer reports say about the above, one thing is sure: green shopping is more fun and a feast for the eye! At least in the Tuscan countryside, when buying your pesticide  free fruit and vegetables right at the organic farm.  Organic shopping in Tuscany: even the customers look better Find below a list and map with Tuscany's most picturesque p it stops for organic food shopping, from the region's southernmost corner all the way up to Florence.  TERRA ETRUSCO , Capalbio Scalo Near Capalbio's train station, close to WWF's Lago di Burano nature reserve and the Tuscan sea,  Terr a Etrusco is an organic farm with a 21st century approach. Restaurant, grocery store and the rooms of the farm-stay are a stylish and welcome break from the usual fake Tuscan decor.  LA PARRINA , Albinia near Orbetello One of th...

My favorite Tuscan wineries use organic or sustainable approaches to winemaking. But what is it all about? Read Carlo Pandian's take on the biodynamic and organic wine movement in Tuscany.  When you think of Tuscan wines, the words natural  and organic  probably aren’t the first to spring to mind. More likely you'll think of Chianti Classico or the bottles hailing from Montalcino – Italian appellations that incorporate the history and tradition that the region is famed for. Nevertheless, like in other winemaking regions throughout the world, a committed group of producers have contributed to the growth of natural wines in Tuscany in recent years.  But what is 'natural' wine and how has this philosophy impacted upon this famous area? Manual only vineyard work at the biodynamic winery La Maliosa in Southern Tuscany