Getting Ready For Italy

So, we are almost set. We have a villa, but we are a bit in trouble for our first night. We can't find a hotel in Florence. Of course we haven't contacted every hotel, but so far the ones I have-nada available (actually, "nada" is Spanish, "nulla" is Italian..) Youth hostiles at age 37 is not an option!

Picture of Stan and I in Florence 2005.

So, here are the wines I am excited about! We had a CARNIVALE party in February at the store (everyone needs to RSVP next year-it was a blast), so I am pretty well versed. The rumor is that Italian wines have less or no sulfite (no added-sulfite is produced naturally during the fermentation process) but I have read articles that say even Italian wines in Italy have added sulfites.......Anyways, about the vino!

First decision-rosso o bianco? (red or white?). Usually the best bet is the vino della casa (house wine). Or do you feel like spumante (sparkling).

Then there is a DOC (denominazione di origine controllata) wines that are basically guaranteed by the goverment that they have come from a official wine producing area and meets certain standards. A DOCG (G for Garantita) means it is high quality, another government rating.  Honestly, the last time we were in Italy we drank a lot of table wine. Believe me all of their wine is SPLENDIDO!

So, we are going to be in Tuscany! Here are some of my favorite wines. You can buy them here...I even carry a few at my store, but unless it is in February for CARNIVALE some are by request only!

1) Chianti- we all know Chianti! Chianti is actually 70-90% the Sangiovese grape and often rounded with Cabernet, Merlot or Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir as we know it).

2) Brunello di Montalcino- the ruby red wine of Tuscany! It was actually developed in the 18th century when Biondi-Santi vineyards were hit with a fungus and the only grapes that survived were Sangiovese Grosso (Big). First wine to be grante the DOCG standard. Brunello is 100% Sangiovese, aged for 4 years. A five year is a riserva (reserve). A younger, more fruit forward version is Rosso di Montalcino

3) Vino Nobile di Montelpulciano-flavors of violets, fruits and damp soil. Cheaper than Brunello, but much more versitile.

4) Have you heard of the SUPER TUSCANS? They are made primarily of Cabernet and Merlot and a splash of the Sangiovese grape. The two most famous are Sassicaia and Ornellaia, promduced in southern Tuscany.

This is the end of my blog for today! The most important phrase to remember is, "Un bicchiere di vino rosso per favore!" (oon bee-key-air-ay-dee-vee-no-roh-soh-pehr-fah-vohr-eh) or translated "A glass of red wine please!"