The Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta on the road from Pienza to San Quirico d'Orcia

In 2001 I came to live in Italy. I had some fun, wrote a journal and this is the blog of my story...

"Tuscany is a state of grace. The countryside is so lovingly designed that the eye sweeps the mountains and valleys without stumbling over a single stone. The lilt of the rolling green hills, the upsurging cypresses, the terraces sculptured by generations that have handled the rocks with skillful tenderness, the fields geometrically juxtaposed as though drawn by a draughtsman for beauty as well as productivity; the battlements of castles on the hills, their tall towers standing grey-blue and golden tan among the forest of trees, the air of such clarity that every sod of earth stands out in such dazzling detail. The fields ripening with barley and oats, beans and beets. The grape-heavy vines espaliered between the horizontal branches of silver-green olive trees, composing orchards of webbed design, rich in intimation of wine, olive oil and lacy-leaf poetry. Tuscany untied the knots in a man's intestines, wiped out the ills of the world. Italy is the garden of Europe, Tuscany is the garden of Italy, Florence is the flower of Tuscany." Irving Stone from my favourite book " The Agony and the Ecstacy" A fictional biography of Michelangelo



163. Florence Wine Night

What a pefect way to bring this eventful September to a close...

One of our old haunts, the co-operative winery of Castello di Grevepesa from Greve-in-Chianti are hosting a free wine tasting evening in the centre of Florence, which is useful now we are living here!

A late lesson cancellation means I am free to go and indulge...

First I pick up my glass and then wander to various stands over Florence. First stop is by the Ponte Santa Trinita for a taste of a single blend Syrah wine which is very interesting. I walk along the Arno and stop at the next stand on the Ponte Vecchio where they have their Chianti Classico, Clemente VII and then over the other side for a taste of the Riserva, both very nice. Next it's on to the tiny Piazza Santa Felicita for their 'Super Tuscan' L'Essenziale and finishing up at Piazza Pitti for some of their other wines from Panzano.






                                                        (Original journal entry 30/9/04)
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