We wanted to go wine tasting. But not along with a thousand other people at the same time. So off we went (under the radar) into the country side of Tuscany- the birthplace of the Renaissance and don’t forget the Sangiovese grapes of Chianti, Montalcino, & Montepulciano!
We spent a few first nights here in the small hamlet of Radda - a beautiful medieval town. Here at the Estate of CorteDomina, a small winery in the heart of the celebrated Chianti Classico, we were almost the only guests residing in the few available (but beautiful) suites. This is actually a real Italian home growing the Sangiovese grape on one side and the Merlot grape on the other. We love the “dolce far niente” atmosphere.
We tried to visit 2 to perhaps 3 different wineries per day. But sometimes, we just cut it down as too much work. And also, it’s often “chili” in the cellars!
This is our Maria at Casa Solo winery in Barberino Tavernelle. The “black rooster” on the bottle neck certifies genuine Chianti Classico. History is: To settle a dispute in the Middle Ages between Florence & Siena, two noble knights from each kingdom would ride forth to mark their territory at the morning crow of a rooster. The Florentines kept their black rooster famished, in a dark box, and malnourished. Of course, this rooster started crowing well before dawn giving their knight a decisive advantage. Long live the black rooster!
We eventually made it all the way to the Capanna farm just to the north of Montalcino (pronounce “cheeno”). Brunello de Montalcino was granted the DOC status in 1966 and this family (Cencioni) was one of the 25 founders of this consortium.
We’re in the sleepy hamlet of Bolgeri at the enoteca called Enoteca Tognoni on the western coast of Tuscany. An enoteca is a wine shop with a range of high quality wines where a proprietor is on hand as an expert to guide you with assistance. Traditionally, enotecas served no food, but this one is special and their food and wine were outstanding.
We even stopped by (just for a bit) to see the Tower of Pisa, in the Province of Pisa, Italy and give witness to its 4 degrees of lean.
Before we headed home, we stopped in Germany for some good German food & German beer.
At the Hofbrau House we found Alois Hingeri who (years ago) was a porter at the Munich central train station and was a very loyal regular at the Hofbrauhaus. One day, Alois dies and he goes to heaven. Although in heaven, Alois has many problems adjusting to everyday life in the clouds. Suddenly, the Lord has a seemingly good solution to the problem and Aloisius is sent by the Lord back to Munich in order to give heavenly advice to the Bavarian government. When Alois arrives in Munich, he goes directly to his old familiar table in Hofbrauhaus to have a beer. Then he orders a second beer and then another and so on. AN SO TODAY, he still sits there and he believes that he is in heaven. And for this reason, the Bavarian government is still waiting for divine inspiration!
(Melissaois and Alois continue in their quest to provide guidance to the Bavarian government.)
PROST & GESUNDHEIT !
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