Nestled in the heart of Tuscany is Montalbano – the picture perfect Italian hillside town that’ll make you want to pack your bags and get on the next plane over there. Cobblestone streets, terracotta roofed villas and 16,000 hectares of walking and hiking tracks through the ‘Hills of Leonardo’ (Da Vinci that is, he was born in these neck of the woods).
Famous for its wine, food and olive oil – it’s our kind of place. Here’s a tip – why not grab a rental bike and hit the “Wine and Oil” route for the afternoon? Along the way you’re more than likely to glug back a glass or two of the most famous export from this part of the world – Chianti!
NZ Master of Wine Steve Bennett keeps his ear (or nose more like) to the ground to hunt out little gems around Europe and he’s found one here produced by the Bonacchi winery.
Strict Italian wine laws mean that to call this Chianti (pronounced key-an-tee) grapes must be sourced entirely from one of the 8 Chianti regions and must be made with least 75% of the Sangiovese grape. It’s also certified DOCG which means Denominazione Di Origine Controllata e Garantita – if you’re like us and don’t speak a word of Italian don’t worry DOCG is the top wine in their grading system (the others are DOC and IGT).
Medium bodied with bright juicy fruit, extremely easy drinking – crack it open with typical Italian fare like pizzas, pastas, lasagnes and cold cuts like salami!
Damn, you're looking young for your age!
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