PLEASURES IN CHIANTI STREETS AND BYWAYSThroughout September and October the market squares of Greve and nearby Impruneta, and the narrow streets of neighouring Panzano, will offer wine festivals, parades of wagons bearing allegorical figures, and much impromptu theatre, music and dance, not to forget samplings of wines, extra-virgin olive oils and regional salamis ? among these last, the famous products of Greve's two four-generations-old butcher shops, Falorni and Cecchini, whose pork products are made from the flesh of the curious cinta senese breed, small brown pigs with a broad white band running vertically around their middles . . . you can see them in twelfth- and thirteenth-century paintings. In Radda in Chianti, you will find another excellent butcher shop, Casa Porciatti. Gigi Porciatti opened the shop in 1965 and his son Luciano today continues the family tradition.At the Boccacesca festival, up in old charming Certaldo Alto, renowned chefs will 'fight duels' in public cooking lessons and artisans will demonstrate their skills while making tableware objects. Medieval costumes, open air markets, theatre and much more will add colour to this important Tuscan food and wine festival.So: go. Go now, seeker of savour for your jaded supermarket palate and of colour for your tired computer-blurry eye, let your self be rocked over the rolling hills in the cradle of a hot air balloon or relax in the Tuscan hot water spas. Simple but comfortable inexpensive accommodations as well as sumptuous five-star hotels in villas and castles are available and waiting for you to enjoy Tuscany.SOME WINE AND FOOD FESTIVALSVino al vino - Panzano in chianti September 17, 2004 (Fri) - September 19, 2004 (Sun)Chianti Classico Wine festival - Greve in Chianti September 10, 2004 (Fri) - September 12, 2004 (Sun)Boccaccesca euro Certaldo Alto, October 8 euro October 10 and October 15 euro October 17Festa delleurouva euro Impruneta, September 26SOME GOOD EATING (AND ACCOMODATION) ADDRESSES:Arnolfo www.arnolfo.comCantinetta di Rignana www.lacantinettadirignana.itEnoteca Pinchiorri www.enotecapinchiorri.comIl Colombaio www.ilcolombaio.itLa Leggenda dei Frati www.laleggendadeifrati.itLa tenda rossa www.latendarossa.itOsteria la Gramola www.gramola.it
