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Displaying items by tag: Chianti Classico
A Guide to Lesser-known Tuscan Reds: From Carmignano to Montecucco
Mention the red wines of Tuscany and immediately examples such as Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano come to mind. Produced primarily or exclusively from the Sangiovese grape variety, these celebrated red wines truly define this region’s viticultural excellence. Over the last three decades, the distinctive red wines of Bolgheri, crafted from Bordeaux grape varieties from vineyards along Tuscany’s coast, have also become icons of Tuscan wine.
Yet there are other sublime red wines from this region that are notable yet lack the renown of the wines mentioned above. Carmignano, Morellino di Scansano and Montecucco are three other important red wines of Tuscany that reflect a sense of place and represent not only special quality, but impressive value as well.
PODCAST: Jane Hunt, MW & Andrew Jefford on Tuscany
Master of Wine Jane Hunt is interviewed by Decanter Magazine’s Andrew Jefford about Tuscany and its wines. Jane has a long, distinguished career in various aspects of the wine trade. She leads the Wine Scholar Guild immersion tours through some of the legendary Tuscan wine estates.
The Legend of Chianti's Black Rooster (Gallo Nero)
The Gallo Nero (Black Rooster) was the historic symbol of the League of Chianti and has become the symbol of the wines of Chianti Classico. The Black Rooster symbol is linked to a medieval legend that takes place during the time of open hostilities between Firenze and Siena for control of the Chianti territory.
Chianti Classico with sommelier Jeffrey Porter
Summary:
Chianti Classico: From Medici to Marvelous. Nestled in the hills of Tuscany with some of the most unique soils in the world with one of the greatest grapes in the world, Chianti Classico is a wine that conjures up the best (and worst) associations within the world of wine.
Get the inside scoop! Join Jeffrey Porter, Beverage Director for the acclaimed Italian restaurant group Batali & Bastianich, as he guides you through the history and specificities of Chianti Classico.
Presenter: Sommelier Jeff Porter
Originally from Texas, Jeffrey’s passion for wine started while at the University of Texas at Austin.
He began his career at Central Market in Austin, Texas.
After graduating Jeffrey moved to California where he worked as a salesperson for a wholesaler in the Bay Area.
His sommelier career began in Napa Valley working at Tra Vigne Ristorante in St. Helena, California.
He joined the Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group in 2009 at Osteria Mozza.
In 2011 he moved to New York to become the wine director for Del Posto and in 2014 Jeffrey became the Beverage Operations Director, overseeing the beverage programs for Babbo, Del Posto, Esca, Lupa, Otto, Babbo Pizzeria & Enoteca in Boston, MA, and our newest restaurant La Sirena at the Maritime Hotel.
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Tuscany Wine Tour with Jane Hunt MW
Tuscany Wine Tour with Jane Hunt MW
May 21 – May 26, 2023
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YOUR 6-DAY TUSCANY WINE TOUR INCLUDES:
- Instruction throughout by Jane Hunt, Master of Wine, Tuscany expert and senior judge for Italian wines at the Decanter World Wine Awards
- All professional-level tours and extensive tastings at renowned wine producers
- Services of a tour manager throughout, providing customer service and logistics support
- 2 nights at the seaside, 4-star Park Hotel Marinetta in Bibbona, double occupancy
- 1 night at the elegant, 4-star NH Hotel in Siena, double occupancy
- 2 nights at 4-star Relais Vignale & Spa, surrounded by vineyards in Chianti, double occupancy
- Welcome drink with your instructor and tour manager
- 5 buffet breakfasts
- 4 delicious lunches with top-quality wines of the region
- 2 gourmet dinners with top-quality wines of the region
- Deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach transportation throughout, with bottled water on-board
- All taxes and gratuities for included restaurants
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MEET YOUR WINE GUIDES
Your Wine Tour Instructor: Jane Hunt MW
Your Wine Tour Instructor: Jane Hunt MW- Master of Wine specialized in Italian wines
- Senior judge for Italian wines at Decanter Wine World Awards tasting competition
- Jane speaks fluent Italian and spends 6 month of the year in Umbria where she produces olive oil from her own trees
- With over 40 years’ experience in the wine trade Jane has witnessed an amazing revolution in Italian wine production
Your Wine Tour Manager : Claudia Cesarino
Assisting the instructor and making sure logistics run smoothly and that your needs are answered will be Claudia Cesarino.
Claudia’s career started in the international hospitality industry and event organising at the St. Regis Grand Hotel in Rome and then at Vinopolis in London. She then worked in India for the famous Italian wine company Marchesi Antinori, training the staff about wine at prestigious hotels like the Hyatt, Sheraton, Kempinski, Taj, Oberoi and Park.
Now a very experienced wine tour guide, Claudia is a member of the Italian Sommelier Association.
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6 reasons to join our Tuscany Wine Tour in 2023
- Enjoy personal guidance and instruction from Jane Hunt, Master of Wine and senior judge for Italian wines at the Decanter World Wine Awards tasting competition
- Visit the region’s most iconic wine appellations including Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico, and Bolgheri
- Get access to some of the most prestigious and sought-after large and small wine producers and as you experience “insider” tours
- Discover how short distances between wine regions manifest themselves in the glass as you taste the remarkable differences
- Let Tuscany’s medieval cities transport you through time as you follow cobblestone trails in the region’s famous walled cities
- Indulge in the renowned, authentic cuisine of Tuscany – an immensely varied use of seasonal vegetables, panzanella, a salad made from bread and fresh tomatoes, ribollita, a bean soup, the famous Fiorentina steaks from the Tuscan breed of Chianina beef, Cinta Senese pork, locally hunted wild boar, delicious pasta dishes sometimes including local truffles as well as all manner of diverse salumi and Pecorino sheep cheeses. Delicioso!
Travel with a group of wine students who are serious about wine, either as wine professionals or committed wine lovers. Share an educational, epicurean and unforgettable experience while mastering the world of Bordeaux. Trips are open to people from all countries, and are held in English.
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The Magic of Tuscany
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to travel through all the key appellations of this Italian wine region with a true expert and fabulous instructor!
Tuscany’s famous hills are home to some of the world's most notable wine regions. Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano showcase Sangiovese, the king of red grapes in Toscana. The wines of Bolgheri will challenge what you think you know about Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Experiencing the incredible wines of Vernaccia di San Gimignano, may make you see Italian white wines in a whole new light.
A lot meets the eye when you visit beautiful Tuscany, but so much more is waiting to be discovered. Tuscany’s diverse climatic conditions, soils and topography make the region a vast mosaic of distinctive terroirs—often combined with a rich historic and cultural heritage hard to match elsewhere.
CHECK OUT ALL UPCOMING WINE TOURS
Our exceptional wine tours offer intensive, professional-level, educational programming within the wines regions of France, Italy and Spain. Lead by top wine industry professionals, our itineraries take you into some of the best cellars and vineyards for hands-on learning and unparalleled tasting opportunities. What better way to connect theory with practice!
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The Ten Best Italian Red Wines: A Beginner’s Guide
The best way to make sense of Italian red wines is to simply start tasting them. Italy offers the perfect red wine for every occasion—from pizza on Monday to roast beef with the in-laws on Sunday.
Many of Italy's best red wines are labeled with the name of the wine appellation, often combined with the grape variety. If you've ever felt wholly overwhelmed while browsing an Italian wine section, knowing just a few key wine names will help keep your shopping trip focused and ensure that you have the perfect wine to drink at a moment's notice.
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