Chianti

The head of Italy’s "first family" of winemaking reflects on the Antinoris’ six-hundred-year legacy and a life of good food and drink in the hills of Tuscany. If you know wine, you know the name Antinori. Since 1385, this noble Florentine family has produced some of Italy’s finest wines. The Hills of Chianti tells the story of the Antinoris and the Tuscany they call home, through seven iconic bottles that define their legacy. From the Tignanello that ushered in the era of Super Tuscans to limited-edition vintages, these wines embody a way of life and will excite oenophile readers and lovers of Italy alike. In this family memoir Piero Antinori reveals the passion, tradition, and love of craft that have driven twenty-seven generations of vintners: from the first ancestor who signed up to the winemakers guild in the fourteenth century to Antinori’s own three daughters, poised to carry this most celebrated family of artisans into the future. But The Hills of Chianti is about much more than wine. At its heart the Antinori story is about "Tuscan-ness": a connection to the land, an appreciation for good food and drink, and the quintessentially Italian love of hospitality that make this one of the world’s most inspiring and memorable destinations.

This book tells the story of the ancient land named Chianti and the modern wine appellation known as Chianti Classico. In 1716, TuscanyÕs penultimate Medici ruler, Cosimo III, anointed the region of Chianti, along with three smaller areas in the Florentine State, as the worldÕs first legal appellations of origin for wine. In the succeeding centuries, this milestone was all but forgotten. By the late nineteenth century, the name Chianti, rather than signifying this historic region and its celebrated wine, identified a simple Italian red table wine in a straw-covered flask. Ê In the twenty-first century, Chianti Classico emerged as one of ItalyÕs most dynamic and fashionable wine zones. Chianti Classico relates the fascinating evolution of Chianti as a wine region and reveals its geographic and cultural complexity. Bill Nesto, MW, and Frances Di Savino explore the townships of Chianti Classico and introduce readers to the modern-day winegrowers who are helping to transform the region. The secrets of Sangiovese, the principal vine variety of Chianti, are also revealed as the book unlocks the myths and mysteries of one of ItalyÕs most storied wine regions. The publication of Chianti Classico coincides with the three hundredth anniversary of the Medici decree delimiting the region of Chianti on September 24, 1716.

Raymond Flower brings the enchanting history of the secluded Italian region Chianti to vivid life. Using meticulous research, Flower presents the engrossing tales of the Etruscans, the Romans, the Lombards, the factions of the Guelphs and the Ghibellines and explores the rise of the communes and the struggles between the Empire and the Papacy. In the late Middle Ages, Chianti was the scene of decisive battles, and many of its medieval buildings were destroyed in the Aragonese invasions of the 15th century. Flower is himself a wine grower, and this dazzling story evokes the beauty of the vintage, which has been a part of the region since Etruscan times.

Delve into the rich, aromatic history of one of Italy's most revered wine regions. Join author Mike Madaio in an exploration of the origins of Chianti Classico DOCG, tracing its journey from Etruscan Tuscany to international acclaim. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, explore the intricate tapestry of tradition, innovation, and rivalry that led to Chianti Classico's distinction from the broader Chianti DOCG. Highlighting the unique history and pivotal historical moments, the book delves into the critical 20th-century period when differing philosophies about quality and production methods culminated in the official separation in the 1990s. Deeply insightful but short enough to read in one or two sittings, this monograph offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of a wine that is more than just a drink—it's a legacy.

Expanding the study of Etruscan habitation sites to include not only traditional cities but also smaller Etruscan communities, Cetamura del Chianti examines a settlement that flourished during an exceptional time period, amid wars with the Romans in the fourth to first centuries BCE. Situated in an ideal hilltop location that was easy to defend and had access to fresh water, clay, and timber, the community never grew to the size of a city, and no known references to it survive in ancient writings; its ancient name isn’t even known. Because no cities were ever built on top of the site, excavation is unusually unimpeded. Intriguing features described in Cetamura del Chianti include an artisans’ zone with an adjoining sanctuary, which fostered the cult worship of Lur and Leinth, two relatively little known Etruscan deities, and ancient wells that reveal the cultural development and natural environment, including the vineyards and oak forests of Chianti, over a period of some six hundred years. Deeply enhancing our understanding of an intriguing economic, political, and cultural environment, this is a compelling portrait of a singular society.

Visitors have been drawn to Florence's architectural and artistic treasures for centuries - and for good reason. But, with an historical center of only half a square-mile, it can be hard to see the sights through the crowds. The throng on the Duomo steps, the lines for the Uffizi and the jostling for photos on Piazzale Michelangelo all require a good dose of patience, especially under the blistering summer heat. Fortunately, early evening offers a respite; the quieter streets and softer lighting at that time bring out the colors of the marble-clad cathedral topped by Filippo Brunelleschi's archetypal dome, the sheer immensity of the Palazzo Vecchio and the charm of the medieval Ponte Vecchio, with its shops latched shut for the night. But avoiding the lines when you enter the buildings and museums takes some preparation, especially if you arrive in the busiest and hottest summer months when the only option is to drag yourself out of bed at sunrise to beat the crowds to the 8:15 am openings. Not to be missed: * Piazza del Duomo: Famous address of the Duomo, Campanile and Battistero. * Galleria degli Uffizi: The most select picture gallery in the world and potent symbol of Medici power. * Palazzo Vecchio: Medieval town hall architecture at its most forceful. * Galleria dell'Accademia: Home to Michelangelo's David. * Via dei Tornabuoni: Even if you can't afford to buy, you'll enjoy the window-shopping on this luxury-laden street. * Piazza Repubblica: The 19th century makes its mark. * Museo Nazionale del Bargello: Florence's national sculpture museum. * Giardino di Boboli: Sculpture-packed gardens behind the museum-packed Palazzo Pitti. * The Oltrano: A warren of narrow streets filled with artisan workshops and some great restaurants. * Piazzale Michelangelo: The classic Florentine view. * The churches: Santa Maria Novella, San Lorenzo, Orsanmichele, Santa Croce, Santo Spirito and San Miniato al Monte are just some of the delights on offer. * The markets: Shopping the Florentine way. * Ponte Vecchio: Medieval bridge architecture at its most splendid. * Le Murate: Atmospheric ex-convent and ex-prison now the venue for Firenze Estate events. This guide focuses on Florence and the surrounding region, including San Gimignano, Chianti, Mugello, Upper Valdarno, Val d'Elsa, Fiesole, Pistoia, and Prato - all easily reached in day-trips. This history-rich region offers some of Italy's classic landscapes - pole-straight cypress trees lining dusty farm roads, rolling hills that stretch as far as the eye can see, fields of vibrant sunflowers, medieval villages perched on rocky spurs above crashing surf. Visit them all with this comprehensive guide that helps you explore the very best places. A largely untouched coastline and protected wild areas only add to the appeal of this top vacation destination. Regional chapters take you on an introductory tour, with stops at museums, historic sites and local attractions. Places to stay and eat; transportation to, from and around your destination; practical concerns; tourism contacts - it's all herel Detailed regional and town maps feature walking and driving tours. Then come the adventures - fishing, canoeing, hiking, rafting, llama trips and more. Never galloped along a beach on horseback, trekked up a mountain, explored ancient sites? Also includes extensive lists of recommended outfitters, with all contact details - e-mail, website, phone number and location. Adventure Guides are about living more intensely, waking up to your surroundings and truly experiencing all that you.

Does another Chianti guide really make sense? It does, if written by an author hailing from Chianti. The author is indeed a real Chianti native who, with his camera, has traveled this territory far and wide to accompany us through its extraordinary particularities. Very often there is still a lack of adequate support to visit the so-called minor areas, which indeed are not minor, as shown by the Chianti territory so rich in art, breathtaking landscapes, history and food. This guide wants to fill this void, accompanying us with simplicity and frankness through unusual itineraries, villages, churches and abbeys where, in addition to works of art, we will be able to learn about lesser-known glimpses, Tuscan expressions, owners of shops and clubs frequented by Chianti residents, the “chiantigiani”. Briefly, there is everything we need here: a local friend who, with suggestions, anecdotes and advices, accompanies us in discovering Chianti with some excursions to the nearby wonders of Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Certaldo, Volterra.

Alice thought her future was set in stone, until her past came knocking... Alice Butler starred in a successful US sitcom until tensions in the cast and crew caused the show to be cancelled. Now, five years later and working towards her dream job in art history, she’s called back for a revival of the show. It can only end in disaster, surely? Flown to a villa in Chianti to meet with the rest of the cast, Alice must decide where her future lies – with her boyfriend, David, who laps up the Hollywood company, or with the mysterious Matt, who shies away from public attention? A beautiful romance for fans of Lucy Coleman and Trisha Ashley.