Tuscany’s climate and geography make it one of the world’s best locations for growing superior wines. The Tyrrhenian Sea to the west provides a warm Mediterranean climate, while the foothills of the Apennine Mountains help temper the summertime heat of the region. Many Tuscan vineyards are located at higher elevations along the hillsides where the region’s popular Sangiovese grapes get the direct sunlight they need for the best results. The temperature control provided by the hillsides also allows the grapes to maintain a good balance of sugars and acidity.

The most popular Tuscan wines include the following:

• Chianti
• Brunello di Montalcino
• Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
• Vernaccia di San Gimignano
• Vin Santo del Chianti
• Super Tuscans (i.e.Sassicaia, Solaia, Tignanello, Vigorello)
• Morellino di Scansano

Chianti is perhaps the most well known Tuscan wine. Chianti wines are red Italian wines produced in a region of Tuscany known originally as the Chianti province. Chianti wines must contain a blend of 75 to 100% Sangiovese grapes, up to 10% Canaiolo grapes, and no more than 20% of other approved red grape varieties. Most Chianti’s are medium-bodied with medium to high acidity. Other characteristics include firm tannins, floral and light nutty notes, with a mid-palate finish dominating the taste. Among the many different Chianti, is Chianti Classico, which is the oldest and most historical one. It is also the most reliable source to make sure you get a really elegant Chianti.

Another important wine falls under the Chianti umbrella, the dessert wine Vin Santo del Chianti: a unique dessert wine made with local white varieties of Malvasia and Trebbiano. If red varieties are used, like Sangiovese and Cannaiolo, the the Vin Santo becomes “Occhio di Pernice”, the eye of the partridge.

Brunello di Montalcino wine has a reputation for being the most expensive Tuscan wine. Brunello wines are made from 100% Sangiovese grapes and are often put through an extensive maceration period during which color and flavor are extracted from the skins. Brunello wines feature a fleshy texture and a fruit driven character that often includes aromas and flavors such as blackberry, black cherry, and chocolate.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines are produced primarily using Sangiovese grapes, with a minimum of 70% required. Blends including upwards of 20% Canaiolo Nero grapes are permitted, as is the addition of small amounts of other grapes like Mammolo. These combinations result in a wine with ruby red coloring, intense earthy aromas, and a dry flavor with a hint of oak.

While the above wines are perhaps the most famous from the Tuscany region, they are not the only brands that are worth of attention. When visiting Tuscany, consider visiting vineyards and tasting the following wines:

• Vernaccia di San Gimignano: Produced in the town of San Gimignano, this white wine is made with Vernaccia grapes which results in a dry wine with crisp acidity and a bitter finish.
• Morellino di Scansano: A red wine made predominantly from Sangiovese grapes (minimum 85%), this wine is often very fragrant and dry tasting.

Although not officially designated as one of Italy’s premier wines, Super Tuscan varieties have become immensely popular around the world. Super Tuscans are the result of restrictive Chianti production methods that required no more than 70% Sangiovese grapes. Sassicaia, Tignanello and Vigorello -ruby red bold wines with complex aromas of tobacco, curry powder, and blackberry, are some of the first Super Tuscans to hit shelves between the late sixties and the seventies.  Many of these featured either a combination of Sangiovese grapes and non-native “Bordeaux-blend” grapes, or pure Bordeaux varietals.

s around the globe. Italy is one of the world’s most influential countries, yet few people probably know more than a handful of facts about one of the world’s oldest cultures.

When most people think of Italy, they think of the city of Rome and the nation’s history with the Roman Empire. Italy’s history is much deeper than simply being the home of the Roman Empire. Important facts from Italy’s history include:

• Earliest human presence in Italy dates back 200,000 years to the Paleolithic period
• Early inhabitants of Italy included cultures of Indo-European heritage, namely the Umbrians, Latins (who would form the Roman Empire), Volsci, Samnites, Celts, and Ligures
• Long before the Roman Empire emerged, Mycenaean Greeks established contact with Italy and eventually created the colonies of Magna Graecia.
• The Phoenicians also established colonies in Italy before the birth of the Roman Empire

Italy’s history is more than one of conquest, domination, and empire building. The nation has left a lasting impression on others in Europe as well as nations across the globe. Some important facts regarding Italy’s impact include:

• The Renaissance Period in human history began in Florence, Italy in the Late Middle Ages.
• Italian poets lead the charge during the Renaissance, while Italian painters left an indelible mark that would influence European painting for centuries to come.
• Italy is home to more UNESCO World Heritage Sites (45) than any other nation.
• There are an estimated 100,000 monuments, such as museums, palaces, statues, and churches, in Italy.
• Tourism benefits from Italy’s rich history. 43.7 million tourists brought $42.7 billion into Italy.
• Italy earns the 4^th highest amount in tourism dollars and is the 5^th most visited country in the world.
• The Colosseum and ruins of Pompeii bring four and two and half million visitors, respectively, to Italy each year. This makes them the 39^th and 48^th most visited sites in the world.

Despite a rich history, Italy as we know it today has only existed since 1861 when unification was completed. Modern Italy is characterized by the following:

• The country is divided in 20 regions. Five of these regions have autonomous power to enact legislation for their constituents.
• Rome is not only the nation’s capital city, but also its largest and most populated city with some 2.7 million residents.
• Since 1946 when the Italian monarchy was abolished, the country has been governed as a unitary parliamentary republic.
• Italy’s President serves as the head of state, while a Prime Minister serves as the head of government.
• Italy has two bicameral houses in its parliament. They are the Chamber of Deputies and Senate of the Republic.

Modern Italy remains on the world stage much like the Roman Empire of ancient times. Consider these final facts regarding Italy:

• Italy is the 23^rd most populous country in the world.
• Italy is the 23^rd most developed country in the world.
• The country is a founding member of the European Union and is part of the Eurozone.
• Member of the G8, G20, NATO, and World Trade Organization.
• 8^th largest nominal GDP and 10^th highest GDP in the world.

Blue Nun- Blue Nun is a robust wine, borderline feet tasting, but a tolerable wine that goes well with basically everything. It’s a wine that you can compromise on if you are around an avid wine drinker. It’s fruity with a strong alcoholic aftertaste, even though it only has 9.5% alcohol. It’s a German wine that costs around $8 per bottle, and found in most grocery stores. In recent years, Blue Nun has come back as a reputable wine brand in the wine critics’ world, especially among the female crowd with their ‘light’ version (only .5% alcohol).

Ste Chapelle Soft Huckleberry- This crisp, fruity wine is delish. It’s made in Idaho (out of Caldwell) using Idaho huckleberries and other fruits from the Snake River Valley area. It has a hint of honey and smells a bit like apricots, and is light enough to order two bottles. Drink it with pasta, it blends well. It goes great with cheese and fruit, and has 10.7% alcohol. And, it can be found in most grocery stores, including Wal-Mart, for under $8.

New Age White Wine- this is the wine that has been getting rave reviews since 2009. This wine is slightly carbonated and has a flowery smell to it. It’s very sweet with peaches and apricots with an almost floral aftertaste, and the bubbly aspect to it makes it a fun drinking wine. It’s a wine from Argentina and can be found in most high-end liquor stores that carry lots of wines. This wine is 9.5% alcohol, making it a nice lower alcohol wine for any non-wine drinker to try. This wine is a great teaser for any meal, and is delicious enjoyed over ice with a splash of lime.

I know you are thinking I drunk myself to death and this is the result. Unfortunately though this is the truth!

If you do not like wine you can try and drink this “stuff”, which I wouldn’t necessarily call it wine though! If you come to Italy and you don’t like wine this are three wine options that might do the trick to get you started into the wine world.

Lambrusco is a red sparkling wine which has been sold in bulk as a cheap and nasty bubbly. Among the commercial stuff though there’s a great deal of super delicious value for money cherry and vanilla driven wines with some nice round mouthful.

Lambrusco is red like Ferrari -produced nearby- and goes well with Prosciutto di Parma and Modena Balsamic Vinegar which are both made within half and hour drive!

-Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Vigna Canova Fattoria Moretto

-Lambrusco di Modena, Spumante Brut 2009 Cantina della Volta

-Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Secco Ca’ Berti

-Lambrusco di Sorbara Radice 2010 Paltrinieri Gianfranco

-Il Grasparossa della Tradizione Tenuta Pederzana

Going into the White world where you do not have necessarily to add ice or lime my recommendation is to ask for a vino “abboccato” or “amabile” which have a little sugar residual, lower alcohol, but they are not really sweet. This makes them super easy to drink.

You can find them everywhere in the country, but if you were to travel to Rome you have the option of a Frascati Cannellino, recently awarded DOCG -the highest appellation status-.

Only 30 min drive from Rome, one could take a Frascati Wine Tour to go discover it directly.

Moving into the Red wine scene instead we can take a trip to Lake Garda where Bardolino Superiore is a great option for a light juicy and low alcoholic red.

The wine area is located on the east side of the morainic hills of the lake, near Verona. The grapes used -Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella- are the same variety used to make Italy most powerful wine, Amarone, but with Bardolino ou will have the sweet black driven berries, the smooth touch but a light body perfect for anyone who wants to kick of a new wine life!

So you next visit to Romeo and Juliet town Verona, do not forget to take an Amarone wine tour as well!

For top quality Italian wines, select your Wine Tour with us!

1 – Invest In a Good Cellar

Cellaring gourmet wines for a few years can leave you with wines that go well beyond the original expectations. Invest in a good wine cellar with plenty of racking to hold each bottle securely, with the corks wet. A wine cellar is an essential for anyone who wants to enjoy the best wine. Keep the cellar well ventilated, dark, and cool to age the wine properly.

2 – Buy the Best to Start With

Only purchase the best wines to start with. Although even a cheap wine can improve by aging in a cellar for a few years, the best wine from any year will age into an exceptional wine. Pick from the winemakers’ top range to ensure you receive the best wine. Gourmet winemakers do price according to quality of wine, so a $10 bottle of wine is nothing compared to the $300 bottle.

3 – Taste Before You Buy

Quality wine should already be smooth and palatable when you first purchase it. If you are buying a case or more of the best wine, ask the winemaker or winery to provide a sample from the same batch as your wine. This way you will know you are definitely getting what you are paying for.

For a real taste of luxury, ensure you are drinking top quality wine.

Pasta remains an emblem of Italy. Italians were the first Western group to produce and consume pasta. Soon, pasta factories were popping up everywhere. This led to spaghetti’s rise to popularity by making it cheap to produce and cheap to buy.

Spaghetti is cooked by boiling it in hot water. In its raw form it is dry, hard, and brittle. It is cooked so that it is softer and easier to eat. If your pasta is still crunchy it likely hasn’t been cooked for long enough.

Preferences vary on the hardness of cooked spaghetti though. In Italy the traditional way of cooking it is al dente. This means “to the tooth” in Italian. When spaghetti is cooked al dente, it is cooked so that it is soft, but still retains a little bit of hardness. In most other countries it is cooked much softer than this.

See some of our culinary classes!

Adding tomato sauce to spaghetti is one of the most popular ways that it is served. Many Americans regard this as the way that spaghetti was traditionally eaten in Italy. This isn’t actually true. Tomatoes aren’t even native to Europe. They were first introduced when Hernán Cortéz, the famous Spanish explorer, brought some back with him from the Americas in the early 1500s. Tomato sauce still didn’t catch on right away. It wasn’t until the late 1700s when the use of tomato sauce in Italian cooking was first documented.

Tomato sauce caught on quickly after it first began to be used. Today many people like to eat their spaghetti with meatballs as well. Like tomato sauce, meatballs weren’t a traditional part of Italian cuisine. Meat was scarce in Italy, so it was rare that meat was added to any dish, including spaghetti.

It wasn’t until Italians immigrated to America that meatballs became a popular accompaniment to spaghetti. In America meat was much more abundant than in Italy. This allowed Italians to buy meat for much cheaper and add it to their cooking. This was when the dish we now know as spaghetti and meatballs was born.

Though spaghetti was first mass produced in Italy, today it is loved around the world. People love it because it is cheap, tastes great, and is easy to cook. In addition to eating spaghetti plain, with tomato sauce, or with meatballs, people also eat spaghetti with a variety of other ingredients added in. These other ingredients include all types of vegetables and seafood. Next time you’re eating spaghetti, whether it is a cheap meal at home or an expensive meal out on the town, remember where spaghetti came from, and thank Italy for making it so dang popular!

The country of Italy has had a profound impact on history and culture. Here are some fascinating facts about this great nation.

• Italy became a nation in 1861 when King Victor Emmanuel II united the provincial states throughout the peninsula.
• Italy was a charter county of NATO.
• There are more hotel rooms in Italy than any other European country.
• The climate of Italy is largely Mediterranean, with hot summers and mild winters, though mountainous parts in the north are Alpine.
• Italy experiences more volcanic activity than anywhere else in Europe, with Mt. Etna and Mt. Vesuvius posing the largest threats to native populations.
• Italy is the 23rd most populous nation in the world, with a population around 61 million.
• 68% of the population lives in urban areas.
• The life expectancy in Italy is 81.77 years.
• Approximately 90% of Italians profess to be Roman Catholic.
• Italy is the 43^rd wealthiest country per capita in the world, with a median household income just over $30,000 per year.
• The primary agricultural products of Italy are grapes, potatoes, soybeans, olives, and grain.
• The nation consumes over 1.5 millions barrels of oil a day, which ranks 16^th in the world.
• There are 132 airports in Italy and 6 heliports.
• 1.8% of Italy’s annual GDP is devoted to its military.
• Pizza was invented in Naples, Italy in the 1860s.
• The thermometer was invented in Italy, as were the typewriter and eyeglasses.
• Dictator Benito Mussolini created a Fascist government in the early 1920s and later joined forces with the Nazis in World War II.
• Italians consume an average of half a pound of bread each per day.
• Italy is the fourth most visited country in the world, with over 40 million tourists every year.
• Rome is the capital of Italy and also the largest city with 5 million residents.
• Cologne was originally a product of Italy.
• The official currency of Italy is the euro. Previously it was the lira.
• The average Italian drinks 26 gallons of wine annually.
• The region around Venice, Italy is the wealthiest in Europe.
• German and French are spoken in some northern regions of Italy.
• The head of Italy’s government is the prime minister. The president is a ceremonial figure.
• Italy is home to over 3,000 museums.
• Soccer is the most popular sport in Italy.
• There are many islands that are part of Italy, but the two largest are Sicily and Sardinia.

Top Eight Reasons to have Le Baccanti create a custom Italian Itinerary for you:

1. One-on-one service to ensure we create the perfect custom itinerary – one of our travel experts will take you from beginning to end.
2. The custom Italian vacation we create for you is totally private and just for you, there are no forced group activities or join in’s.
3. You set the level of hotel and services based on your own budget for your custom Italian itinerary.
4. You can visit any city you want: Venice, Palermo, Rome, Siena, Chianti, Genova, Piedmont and the list is endless … we can book you something great in any city or region of Italy.
5. We know the luxury market and use only the top drivers, vehicles, hotels, restaurants, and guides for our services during your custom trip to Italy.
6. You can review the entire itinerary and make changes up until the time of booking – no surprises during your custom trip!
7. You create your own theme for your Italian vacation:  romantic, gourmet food and wine, history and culture, countryside, cities, beach, spa and relaxation, you can do one or all during your custom vacation.
8. You choose the dates and length of stay. There are no pre-set dates or lengths… any time of the year we can create a custom package to Italy that will fit you perfectly!

Wearing sunscreen is an effective way to lower the risk of sun damage. But did you know that there is a completely natural way of giving your skin a little extra protection? Scientific studies have shown that certain foods can reduce the risk of sun damage by as much as one third. Read on to find out what should be on your plate this Summer.

1. Watermelon

Watermelon contains lycopene, which is extremely efficient at absorbing the free radicals produced by the skin when it is exposed to sun. By mopping up these harmful chemicals before they can cause damage, lycopene offers natural protection against sunburn.

2. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are also rich in lycopene, particularly when they are cooked. Researchers in England conducted a study and found that people who ate tomato paste every day for 12 weeks decreased their risk of sunburn by 33%.

3. Orange Foods

A recent review by German scientists uncovered a wealth of scientific literature documenting the protective effects of beta-carotene, a compound found in carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots and pumpkins. Beta-carotene is responsible for the orange color of these foods, so a good rule of thumb is to fill your plate with foods that are naturally orange.

4. Green Leafy Vegetables

Green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale contain xanthophylls. Scientists who fed xanthophylls to mice in a recent study found that the mice developed an increased protection to harmful UVB radiation.

5. Fish

Oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring is rich in Omega 3, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory. A lot of skin damage occurs as a direct result of inflammation caused by burning. By eating two servings of fish a week, you can minimize the damage to your skin that occurs due to inflammation.

6. Walnuts and Flax seeds

What if you don’t eat fish? Or if you can’t get the kids to stomach it? Don’t despair: walnuts and flax seeds are also good sources of Omega 3.

7. Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits are packed full of vitamin C, which supports collagen health. Collagen – the fibres in your skin that make it supple and elastic – is broken down by UV radiation. This leads to sagging, wrinkled skin that looks old before its time. Vitamin C plays a vital role in the formation and repair of collagen, so if you want to stay looking young, include more citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and limes in your diet.

8. Green Tea

The health benefits of green tea are well-documented, but did you know that it’s also good for your skin? Polyphenols in tea reduce inflammation and soak up free radicals, which are produced when the skin is exposed to sun, before they can damage the skin.

9. Chocolate

Chocolate-lovers will be glad to hear that the antioxidants in cocoa help to reduce the redness and burning that results from too much Sun. Dark chocolate is best for this purpose because it has the highest cocoa content.

10. Wine

A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 2011 found that grapes contain chemicals that stop skin cells from dying when overexposed to sunlight. This could explain why Mediterranean people traditionally have low cancer rates, despite living in a sunny climate. So next time you’re on holiday, enjoy a glass of wine without guilt – it could help to keep your skin healthy.

Beauty appears to abound from every corner of Florence from its symbolic Duomo to its classic art galleries like the Uffizi.  But its Spezieria-Erboristeria Palazzo Vecchio offers ancient beauty recipes and fragrances in a bottle you can take home.  Situated among the cafes of the Via Vacchereccia, the enchanting herbalist’s shop is just off the Piazza della Signoria; it specializes in herbal soaps, cosmetics, and perfumes—many of which are made from the centuries-old recipes of Tuscany’s monasteries and convents.

The interior of this charming old-world shop is decorated with frescoes, but the unforgettable fragrances are the real stars.  Dr. Giovanni di Massimo, a renowned chemist, spent time researching medieval scents popular with figures such as Catherine de Medici.  From these old recipes, di Massimo was able to breathe new life into the scents that inspired historic Florentines.

One of the shop’s most popular scents is Caterina de Medici.  This classic fragrance boasts hints of lily of the valley, rose, jasmine, and peach flowers.  Sweet, yet subtle, this delicate perfume is rich with the scents of Tuscany.  The Terra di Siena fragrance features Florentine lavender, orange blossom, cinnamon, and vanilla; it is also a popularly sold fragrance.  Other notable fragrances that can be purchased at the shop include the tangerine-scented I Fiori del Cielo, the orchid-infused Senza Fine, the honeysuckle-scented Costa Mediterranea, and the violet-scented Fresco di Vetiver.  There are many more fragrances to discover along the perfume shelves of this charming shop.

Of course, the shop is a carnival of scents from its perfumes to its potpourri.  Customers will find enchanting scents from regions of Italy as well as from exotic locales among the fragrances and cosmetics.  Nutmeg, white pepper, mimosa, coriander, honey, geranium, cedar, carnation, cypress, and ginger are among the telltale scents of the various products.  With all the shop’s choices, it must be noted that making a choice can be quite difficult.

Because no synthetic ingredients are contained in the lotions, fragrances, and other products, the shop has become a renowned Florence establishment that is popular with people looking for green alternatives.  With its bounty of botanical scents, the shop has managed to create a wide array of soaps, skin lotions, bath oils, moisturizers, shower gels, and so much more.  While it’s a marvelous experience to visit the shop in person and peruse its wares, people can also place orders online and have their selections delivered by mail.

This herbal shop has been delighting its customers with natural beauty products since 1970.  It has managed to create modern scents from ancient recipes that have become popular alternatives to many designer perfumes.  A bottle of scent makes a wonderful souvenir from a trip to Florence as well as a thoughtful gift.

]]> http://www.lebaccanti.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=3583 0 http://www.lebaccanti.com/blog/?p=3580 http://www.lebaccanti.com/blog/?p=3580#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:06:09 +0000 admin http://www.lebaccanti.com/blog/?p=3580 The city of Rome offers a multitude of experiences. Home to works of the Old Masters as well as stunning contemporary pieces, this city has something to offer the glitterati as well as the cognoscenti. See Rome and die has never been more true.

Rome – The Eternal City

All roads should, indeed, lead to Rome. As a cultural landmark, this beautiful and cultured city is unrivalled. Built astride the Tiber River and situated on the famed seven hills, this city, the capital of Italy, is home to over 4 million people.

Long recognized as a cultural Mecca, this city has been home to some of history’s greatest artists. Indeed, many of mankind’s most valued treasures are encompassed by the borders of Rome. Connoisseurs of every stripe flock to this city to sample its many delights. Gourmands revel in its culinary sophistication. Oenophiles enjoy the vast panoply of outstanding Italian wines. Students of art and architecture can behold 2500 years of the most magnificent paintings, sculptures and buildings that the tradition of the greatest empire on Earth could produce. To this day, Roman artists and artisans continue this iconoclastic pursuit.

As the hub of almost every business sector, Rome is the powerhouse of the Italian economy generating $150B in economic activity. Tourism is, of course, substantial but services and technology dominate the Italian business climate. The construction, banking and entertainment industries form a solid foundation for this city’s economic dynamism. Heavy industry and manufacturing are noticeably absent.

Rome enjoys an extremely varied population. Immigrants from all over the world, but principally from the Balkans and North Africa, make this city their home. Vatican City, a country in its own right and home to the Catholic Church, is completely encompassed by Rome. This fact makes Rome the only city to contain an entire country within its own borders.

Throughout its history, Rome has enjoyed varying degrees of prosperity. Now, entering its third millennium, it stands poised to add to its vaunted history. In this most remarkable city, natives and tourists alike enjoy a spectacular mix of art, architecture and life. The bridges, buildings and palazzos of Rome provide wonderful meeting places where people of all races, nationalities and creeds can intermix. The nightlife of Rome provides further opportunity for such bonding. Even the underground of Rome, in the form of the catacombs, affords an interesting and thought-provoking experience.

Rome, to its credit, is still as exciting and life affirming as it was in the days of Augustus when it was the center of the civilized world. Politically stable, Italy, and Rome in particular, invite the glitterati and the cognoscenti to enjoy all that she has to offer. No city affords the incredible artistic and cultural phenomenon that is Rome. Home to masterpieces of the Renaissance as well as avant-garde, modern art, Rome truly delivers on its promise to provide La Dolce Vita.

In short, no one should miss the opportunity to explore the rich and luxurious tapestry that is this city. Rome’s unique and fascinating blend of the old and the new warrants more than a one week visit. In fact, a lifetime is probably not enough time to truly appreciate all that Rome has to offer.