UNCORKED WINE TRAVELS

Musings Along The Wine Trails

Panzanello Winery Is Panzano In Chianti’s Brightest Shining Star

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11pz5jpgHaving just returned from a whirlwind trip to Tuscany and looking through my 800+ photos, undoubtedly,  Panzano In Chianti is absolutely one of the most beautiful  places in Italy.  With a population of less than 1,200 people, the charming hilltop village of Panzano lies mid-way between Siena and Florence, right in the heart of Chianti Classico wine country.

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Anthony Bourdain, Rick Steeves and other travel writers often boast about Panzano’s famous resident butcher, Dario Cecchini  (read about Dario Cecchini on my blog)  But for Sangiovese lovers, Panzano is more about the legendary Chianti Classico wines.

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A scenic winding road outside the city center of Panzano leads to Panzanello Winery. Time seems to stand still as you pass the shimmering silver-green olive groves and the fruit-laden vineyards as you slowly turn down the long driveway to Panzanello Winery.

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Wine Tasting Along The Chianti Wine Trail

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Chianti Classico is an area steeped in rich history, dating back to the Etruscan times. Over the years, the Romans laid claim, followed by the ferocious medieval battles between Siena and Florence. Today, Chianti Classico is tranquil and undisturbed, yet vibrant, and is home to artisans and winemakers alike.

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In a region where vineyards are plentiful and cellars are centuries old, one needs a strategy before blazing the wine trail.   Unlike wine tasting in California, which is both casual and unpretentious for the most part, wine tasting in Chianti Classico is a bit more structured.

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The key to fun and eventful wine tasting is simple – take the time to plan your itinerary in advance. Care in planning ahead will save time in the long run and will enhance your wine tasting experience overall.

Keep in mind that the most memorable cellar tours encompass wine tasting along with food pairings.

A wine guide or sommelier will often guide the group tasting in the cellar and will offer sumptuous local food pairings such as bread and olive oil, prosciutto or salami and Pecorino Toscana cheese to compliment the featured wines.

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In Chianti, wine tastings are never rushed. The pours are more than generous and the conversation with the wine staff flows easily. Wine tasting fees are nominal and a purchase of a bottle of wine is certainly appreciated, but not expected.

To get the most out of your wine tasting experience, if possible, arm yourself before your wine trek with The Black Rooster Map, (Le Strade del Gallo Nero), the official wine road map. [Read more…]

Tuscany’s Top 10 Wine Trivia

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In many ways, Sangiovese is to Chianti as Cabernet Sauvignon is to Bordeaux. Both form the base of wines that blend beautifully with other varietals, yet alone, they share a distinctive elegance and complexity. To impress your fellow oenophiles at the next dinner party, read on:

  1. Tuscany has 9 DOCG appellations that date back to the Etruscans in the 8th century BC. Sangiovese, Tuscany’s most prominent grape, is derived from the Latin sanguis Jovis, which literally translates to the “blood of Jove”.   Sangiovese is the premier grape varietal in Italy, planted on over 247,000 acres with 14 separate and distinct clones. Sangiovese thrives in direct sunlight at altitudes of 500 to 1600 feet. The higher elevations increase the diurnal temperature variation, helping the grapes maintain their balance of sugars and acidity as well as their aromatic qualities. 3m26JPG
  1. The Chianti zone is the largest classified wine region and produces over eight million cases of wine each year. The region is split into two DOCGs – Chianti and Chianti Classico. The larger Chianti zone is further divided into eight DOC sub-zones and produces white, other Rosso reds and Vin Santo.
  1. To be considered a Chianti Classico, wines must be 75% to 100% Sangiovese and can contain up to 20% of international varietals such as Cabernet and Merlot. Chianti Classico covers approximately 100 square miles between Florence and Siena and includes the communes of Castellina, Gaiole, Greve and Radda and five other neighboring communes.   Chianti Classico is required to be aged for a minimum of three years.5mp30JPG
  1. All but one Tuscany DOCG is comprised of Sangiovese grapes.  Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG produces the only white grape called Vernaccia . Other white grapes planted in Tuscany are Trebbiano, Malvasia, Vermantino and Chardonnay and are frequently used in blending wines.
  1. Vin Santo, also known as “holy wine”, is made of Trebbiano which is harvested in late fall and air-dried on straw mats until the start of Holy Week before bottling. Vin Santo ages for 3 to 10 years in small barrels and is produced in small quantities. Vin Santo makes an excellent Italian dessert wine.

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Villa Cafaggio’s Super Tuscans Rock Panzano

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Buonvenuti a Panzano!
Benvenuti a Panzano!

My draw to the tiny hamlet of Panzano was two-fold…. one was to meet Dario Cecchini, the touted celebrity butcher featured on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations show, and revered by travel guru Rick Steves.  And, also to explore the many boutique wineries hidden off  the SR222, the Chianti Wine Trail.   As a point of reference, Panzano lies a few kilometers south of Greve, about 45 minutes from Firenze (Florence).

Picturesque and quiet....Panzano in Chianti
Picturesque and quiet….Panzano in Chianti

I visited over Pasqua (Easter) weekend and the weather was cool and misty, with scattered showers.  Not ideal, but with umbrella in hand, I made the best of it.  I enjoyed sitting in the village bakery with a cappuccino in hand, watching the local women scurry around town preparing for the big Pasqua family dinner.  Shop windows were lavishly decorated with giant chocolate eggs with hidden toys inside, all festively wrapped with pastel ribbons. [Read more…]

Panzano’s Celebrity Butcher Dario Cecchini Struts His Stuff

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Celebrity status Butcher Dario Cecchini in Panzano
Celebrity status Butcher Dario Cecchini in his Panzano shop, Antica Macelleria Cecchini

Panzano in Chianti is probably best known for its acclaimed and boisterous butcher, Dario Cecchini.  Travel writer Rick Steeves,  television foodie Anthony Bourdain and countless U-Tube videos have made Dario Cecchini and his Antica Macelleria Cecchini into somewhat of a legend in the sleepy hamlet of Panzano.

I had to see it for myself…

Look for Dario's trademark bull and the psychodelic cow in centro Panzano
Look for Dario’s trademark cow on the side of  Ristorante Solociccia or the famous psychodelic cow in centro Panzano

You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see locals and tourists alike jamming the doorway of the tiny machelleria (butcher shop) and hear the pounding bass of AC/DC rocking through the streets!    It’s quite a party — all the time! [Read more…]