Memorable Brunello Wine Tasting

...second day in Montalcino could not feature a visit to a Brunello winery and tasting just a shot from Montalcino on its south-west slope...We were guests of Laura Grey at Il Palazzone who introduced us to the magical world of "sangiovese in purezza", i.e. Brunello wine. 

Laura welcomed us at the entrance of the farm and started narrating of her family’story with Richard Parsons, the winery's owner. They were dealing the restaurant Il Leccio in Sant’Angelo al Colle ,where Mr Parsons used to be client. One day, as he had purchased the Palazzone proprerty, he proposed Laura and her husband Marco to move to the premise and manage it. After 12 years, the family has grown up not only in number of children, with 3 of them now , but also in vintages.

 We walked around vineyards, till we reached for a small olive grove, where Laura instroduced us to “Club 100” project where individuals select an olive tree and receive an annual harvest of oil. As a member of Club 100, you are helping to insure the long-term viability of a small, traditional farm, preserving an agricultural heritage that dates back for centuries. Plaques bearing your name will be hand-painted by a Montalcino artist…and there we are, I booked a Wishversilia olive-tree ownership!
If you are interested in the project, read on http://www.ilpalazzone.com/olive-oil/  and contact Laura.

At last, Laura led us to the new cellar building, where the architect took inspiration by country churches and its simple shapes, sloping roofs and perfect integration with the surroundings. We stepped inside this majestic building as if we where entering a religious cloister. 

In fact, the temperature and micro climate is naturally preserved inside the aging cellar and visitors are requested  a “respectful” attitude to avoid noises, too much light in opening/shutting the door, wearing strong perfumes…Brunello needs a quite sleep for at least 3 years...

The best part had to come, when we finally got to the tasting room and Laura uncorked 2006 and 2007 Brunello bottles. Now I understand the delicate balance preserved in barrels and sought after with so much efforts...Nectar of the Gods!

Recommended

When we got back home, I cheered up with friends with the best pairing possible with Brunello: beef tagliata and fettunta (bread and extra vergin olive oil)!

On the way back from Palazzone, we reached for St Antimo Abbey and drove all the way to Sant’Angelo al Colle through a white road where the most famous wineries and Brunello producers are lined up and visitable.

We were late to attend the Gregorian choir singing in the Abbey, but I wish to be back to listen in such elating venue.

In Sant'Angelo al Colle I finally met with Katja (MapitoutTuscany) and could enjoy an apero time by the church steps at sunset.

 

Our dinner at Il Leccio was very nice, not only for food, but also for the enchanting view and the welcoming atmosphere of this small borough.

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Tuscany summer tour 2012 - day 2

This post is the second day of our Tuscany Tour 2012, an intense journey, full of beauty, taste and history, but also of new friends!

I am sharing the experience with Katja Mejer, writer of  the blog Mapitout Tuscany. She was totally inspiring and addressed me to typical places and to meet people who are crucial for the knowledge of this area.

 The first day of my tour with Montalcino guided tour  is available on MapitoutTuscany_Montalcino.
If you enjoyed it, you will find below the second day experience, driving south to Monte Antico borough and the village of Campagntico... 

Day 2

While our friends were enjoying sightseeing in Pienza, we made our way southward to Grossetto for some inspections on villas and venues. The first one we were recommended by Katja was Art&Garden in MonteAntico, about 20km from Montalcino in the outstretches of Maremma. This places is magical…a tiny ancient borough in a gorgeous position on top of a hill. You approach the old church as if you were entering a convent, when you realize that the façade is just the entrance of a theatre! The past owner welcome young artists and performers from all over Europe to come here and have a space to share experiences and art works. In the last years it has been elected perfect retreat for detox and yoga workshops.  Elida, the manager welcome us and showed the venue, while our kids were sleeping in the car and in the buggy. We hoped we could spend more time there to relax and enjoy some noise-free time.

 The second inspection was planned at Villa Bellaria in Campagnatico. This villa provides self-catering apartments as well as B&B accommodation. The former are comfortable, country apartments merged in the villa’s beautiful park, the latter a cosy romantic deluxe rooms located in the main villa.

What struck me most was the huge bird cage, full of colorful little parrots, which dropped us back to the past of Rococò noble villas in XVIIIth century and the large meadow overlooking the slope rolling down from Campagnatico seaward.

Also, one of the highlights of villa Bellaria is that it is located right in the centre of Campagnatico, a very charming village, where we enjoyed a delicious meal at restaurant La locanda del Glicine. Organic food was fresh and Km zero, i.e. from the owner’s garden. The service accurate and refined: see the bread basket and complimentary coffee treats

  

After a delicious lunch, we drove back to Montalcino where we had planned to meet Laura Gray at Palazzone winery. Our day was not yet finished and we still had to enjoy Brunello wine tasting and a panoramic dinner at Sant’Angelo al Colle.

 TO BE CONTINUED…