“Start of an affair with Sangovise – EXPERIENCING & SOAKIN-IN TUSCANY”.
After years of city travelling in Europe on business and for fun, I have had enough of “been there, done that” and graduated to being a traveler that also wants to experience, feel, and soak-in the local culture, cuisine, wines, landscape…! Luckily, my family has also developed similar interests, well! nearly all of them. And, besides the regular experience, we also like to enjoy places with significant history, nature, landscapes, solitude, local delicacies…!
One of our recent family trip was to Italy with the intent to “feel & soak-in” Tuscan Italy. We stayed in Radda in Chianti, a small town between Florence and Sienna in the thick of Chianti wine region. Our hotel was a historical castle, now converted to a mid-level luxury property, and what a find that was as we spent good time researching and selecting it. The terrace overlooked and Olive tree plantation, a perfect setting for a relaxed evening with a local wine bottle, the vastness of Chianti landscape with clear blue sky, and the sunset; time for introspection and thinking?
Being a wine lover, I frequent wine regions across Europe; Riesling-Germany, Borolo-Italy, Port-Portugal, Friuli-Italy, Alsace-France, and wine tasting was definitely on our radar as we visited the famous Chianti Wine region. I tasted my first Chianti ~ 18 years back, it didn’t land in my favorite’s list and I probably liked 1 out of 4 Chiantis. Perhaps, it had something to do with the strong character of Sangiovese grape, and as one sommelier told me, one either loves it, or hates it…! However, if you find the right Chianti wine, it will be a long lasting relationship. This time, we researched the best place to get the wine tasting experience, and it led us to Barone Ricasoli, Madonna a Brolio in the town of Gaiole di Chianti. Interestingly, this was the place where first Chianti recipe was made 300 years back. After tasting 8 wines, we came across 2010 Barone Ricasoli Colledila, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, that was 100% Sangovise and had amazing character, body, and well-round taste and it was an overwhelming experience. We bought The Magnum for our cellars, and it should be at the peak for my daughter’s wedding; she is 10 years old now…!
Being in Tuscany region, it will be a miss not to visit Florence, even if one has been there before. In addition to the art on display, the renaissance architecture is inviting to experience it time and again with a majestic Duomo, busy squares, panoramic views from Piazza Michelangelo, and imposing and historic city walls that tell you a new story every single time. And, to top it up – The Mall near Florence at Leccio, offers a great shopping experience with several top Italian brands under a single roof, and one can see people queueing up at Gucci outlets.
During this visit, we wrapped up our Tuscan experience at Sienna, which probably is not as famous as Florence, but a perfect place to enjoy more relaxed vacation with lovey walks in the pedestrian streets of Via di Citta, Via Banchi di Sopra. Back at home, as we settle down with daily rhythms, the family is already looking forward to the next Tuscan experience. It is as romantic a place as exists on earth, with unending beauty of the tranquil countryside, the drama of the coast, and ample opportunities to “soak-in” the Tuscan experience in a local vineyard while staying in a beautiful Tuscan villa.
After years of city travelling in Europe on business and for fun, I have had enough of “been there, done that” and graduated to being a traveler that also wants to experience, feel, and soak-in the local culture, cuisine, wines, landscape…! Luckily, my family has also developed similar interests, well! nearly all of them. And, besides the regular experience, we also like to enjoy places with significant history, nature, landscapes, solitude, local delicacies…!
One of our recent family trip was to Italy with the intent to “feel & soak-in” Tuscan Italy. We stayed in Radda in Chianti, a small town between Florence and Sienna in the thick of Chianti wine region. Our hotel was a historical castle, now converted to a mid-level luxury property, and what a find that was as we spent good time researching and selecting it. The terrace overlooked and Olive tree plantation, a perfect setting for a relaxed evening with a local wine bottle, the vastness of Chianti landscape with clear blue sky, and the sunset; time for introspection and thinking?
Being a wine lover, I frequent wine regions across Europe; Riesling-Germany, Borolo-Italy, Port-Portugal, Friuli-Italy, Alsace-France, and wine tasting was definitely on our radar as we visited the famous Chianti Wine region. I tasted my first Chianti ~ 18 years back, it didn’t land in my favorite’s list and I probably liked 1 out of 4 Chiantis. Perhaps, it had something to do with the strong character of Sangiovese grape, and as one sommelier told me, one either loves it, or hates it…! However, if you find the right Chianti wine, it will be a long lasting relationship. This time, we researched the best place to get the wine tasting experience, and it led us to Barone Ricasoli, Madonna a Brolio in the town of Gaiole di Chianti. Interestingly, this was the place where first Chianti recipe was made 300 years back. After tasting 8 wines, we came across 2010 Barone Ricasoli Colledila, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG, that was 100% Sangovise and had amazing character, body, and well-round taste and it was an overwhelming experience. We bought The Magnum for our cellars, and it should be at the peak for my daughter’s wedding; she is 10 years old now…!
Being in Tuscany region, it will be a miss not to visit Florence, even if one has been there before. In addition to the art on display, the renaissance architecture is inviting to experience it time and again with a majestic Duomo, busy squares, panoramic views from Piazza Michelangelo, and imposing and historic city walls that tell you a new story every single time. And, to top it up – The Mall near Florence at Leccio, offers a great shopping experience with several top Italian brands under a single roof, and one can see people queueing up at Gucci outlets.
During this visit, we wrapped up our Tuscan experience at Sienna, which probably is not as famous as Florence, but a perfect place to enjoy more relaxed vacation with lovey walks in the pedestrian streets of Via di Citta, Via Banchi di Sopra. Back at home, as we settle down with daily rhythms, the family is already looking forward to the next Tuscan experience. It is as romantic a place as exists on earth, with unending beauty of the tranquil countryside, the drama of the coast, and ample opportunities to “soak-in” the Tuscan experience in a local vineyard while staying in a beautiful Tuscan villa.
Karan Singh
