How to Tour the Wineries in Tuscany

Tuscany, one of Italy's 20 regions, is well known to many wine connoisseurs around the world. Located on the Western coast of the Italian Peninsula, Tuscany boasts some of the world's finest wines birthed from some of the world's oldest vineyards. Your Tuscan winery tour will take you twisting and turning, through an ancient landscape, while exposing you to the sights, tastes and scents of this spectacular region.

Instructions

1. Start your Tuscan winery tour in the towns of Prato and Carmignano, just outside of Florence. This region produces Carmignano wine, which is a soft, dry and full-bodied red wine. Tour the Museum of the Vineyard and the Wine of Carmignano, which was created in 1999 to inform visitors about the area's wine.

2. Visit the Chianti-Classico Region of Tuscany. Take La Chiantigiana south from Florence into the heart of the region. Identify wineries that offer tastings by searching the website for the Consorzio del Marchio Storico, which is the administrative body for Chianti Classico. Select two or three wineries on the website and then call for an appointment. Spend at least one day touring and tasting.

3. Tour the San Gimignano region of Tuscany. This region is renowned for the white wine Vernaccia di San Gimignano, which is made from an ancient grape that has been traced back to Greece. Check the website of the administrative body to obtain a list of wineries that offer tastings.

4. Spend time in the Montepulciano region, known for its Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano. This prized red wine is made from a clone of the Sangiovese grape, known as Prugnolo Gentile. Other components include the grapes Canaiolo Nero and Mammolo.

5. Taste the dark red and full bodied, Brunello di Montalcino found in Montalcino. Consider spending the night in one of the guest rooms of Montalcino's largest producer, Castello Banfi. Enjoy your wine at one of Castello Banfi's two restaurants.

Tips & Warnings

• Similar to French wines, Italian wines are named by region.

• Don't drink and drive. Italy's aged roads wind endlessly and are challenging enough for a sober foreigner.

Resources

• Locate the administrative body for Chianti Classico.
• Locate the administrative body for Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
• Find information about Castello Banfi.