touring in tuscany?

[jamesrowley]

Can anyone suggest tour routes and/or specific wineries to visit in the Chianti Classic and Brunello regions?

Thanks!

[Innkeeper]

The May 15, 2000 edition of Wine Spectator was devoted to "Discovering Tuscany." It was called "A Wine Lover's Guide to the Best Restaurants, Trattorias, Hotels, and Wineries to Visit." You could look up their archieves at their website: www.winespectator.com or possibly get a back issue from them. It would be well worth it. That's why we hung onto ours.

[RAD]

My wife and I honeymooned in Italy, and hit many vineyards in Chianti Classico.

One of my favorites was Capannelle in Gaiole in Chianti. Theirs is a small operation--I've never seen one of their wines in a shop here in NYC, and have seen them on wine lists here in the city only twice. In any event, some wonderful wines--though at the time (1998) they had yet to make an official DOCG Chianti Classico, focusing instead on highbrow Sangioveses and a 50/50 Sangiovese Merlot blend. Apparently the owners are somewhat renowned for their cleanliness; you could lick the floor on any part of the operation, from the fermentation tanks to the room where they attach the labels to the bottles (by hand). And you'll get a long-winded account of how they meticulously wash the glasses in the tasting room, too.

Just down the street from Capannelle, up a hill, is Castello di Spaltenna, a 12th-13th century castle where we stayed for part of the trip. No winery here, but I mention it because their private-label Chianti Classico--I never was able to find out who produces it for them--is to die for (of course, when we were there, it was from the 1997 vintage, which helps; no doubt my palate was influenced a small bit by the circumstances, but I still believe it was the best chianti I've ever had; we have 2 bottles from the trip, still unopened).

Others close by and worth a visit are Castello di Volpaia, Castello di Ama, and Badia a Coltibuono, beautiful properties (and wines) all.

RAD

The above is provided, of course, with the full understanding that you bring back at least one wine from each of the wineries mentioned and ship it to us!!! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img] On that trip, we actually brought back 18 750ml bottles in our luggage (customs allows 1.5l per person). My wife was carrying a six pack under her arm through customs, and the guy says "Olive oil"? (for which there is no limit), and my wife replied "Yes," and kept walking. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by RAD (edited 11-04-2000).]

[This message has been edited by RAD (edited 11-04-2000).]

[ddf68]

I have had success with declaring wine under the $400 per person general goods exemption. Last fall my wife and I brought 33 bottles of wine from Alsace and Burgundy back from France without having pay the tariff. Of course that only works if you don't purchase a whole lot of non-wine souvenirs.

ddf