Wine Tasting in Tuscany

Wine Tasting in Tuscany is One of the Pleasurable Pursuits of the Region:

Chianti by Hoffmeister/Wiki

Tuscany is universally famous for its good food, classic wines and natural beauty so naturally food and wine tasting in Tuscany are part of the reasons why many visitors come to this region of Italy. Some may be the interested in the art of winemaking, but for the majority of visitors, their wine tasting interest is more for pleasure.

But whether for the art of wine-making or pleasurable pursuits, the wineries around Tuscany are the place to enjoy both.

Chianti

In times past, Chianti may bring to mind cheap table wines. But rest assured the vintages produced in this area forty minutes from Florence are anything but a cheap, table reds.

Close to Siena, there are dozens of wineries with offerings that will suit the most discriminating of palettes. Some of the finest grapes anywhere in Italy are grown on these hilltops. They are then turned into some equally fine wines.

Several of the wineries are located near medieval castles, adding an authentic historical air to the whole trip. One outstanding example is the Castello di Uzzano renowned for its Chianti Classico. The castle is nearby a residential villa so visitors can taste wonderful wine and enjoy superb sights.

Montalcino

Montalcino is another of the famous wine-producing regions of Tuscany. Tours of the Castello Banfi estate will impress even the most finicky of wine drinkers. Over 7,100 acres provide this winery with ample grapes from which to produce outstanding wines. Unlike many of its neighbours, Castello Banfi is only 25 years old, so it has state of the art equipment. But the 11th century castle has been amazing visitors for centuries.

San Gimignano

San Gimignano may be best known for its medieval towers, but this small town is also well known for its white wines. Il Grande Prato can persuade any connoisseur that its wine-making reputation is well deserved. Here visitors can enjoy their favourite vintages and enjoy a light snack in a country setting.

Siena

Siena is the site of one of Italy’s most beautiful Gothic cathedrals. It also offers some outstanding wine tasting opportunities. Among the rolling hills outside the town are nestled many superb wineries. The Villa Dievole is only one example. Only 45 minutes from Florence and half an hour from Chianti, there are over 800 acres here.

It’s possible to tour much of Tuscany on a bicycle. But many will want to rent a car and take in several of the stellar villas and wineries that offer some of the best wines in the world.

Or, if you only have a limited time in Florence, you could combine wine-tasting and a country drive through magnificent Tuscan landscapes on one of these Tuscany wine tours :

Chianti Region Wine Tasting and Dinner half-day trip from Florence
Chianti Region Wine Tasting Half-Day Trip from Florence
Small Group Chianti Wine Region Day Trip from Florence