Italy 2006: Florence
Our only full day in Florence was spent in the Tuscan countryside at a cooking class offered by Accidental Tourist. While I would not really call this a cooking class, I would call it a fantastic Tuscan experience. Our tour guide, Steve, drove us from Florence to the Grignano country estate outside Florence in Italy's Chianti Rufina region. Although the family no longer lives in this home, the grounds are used to produce olive oil and wine. Following a tour of the production facilities we were taken to the Grignano country villa for a tasting of the olive oil and wines. After the tasting, we were taken to a Tuscan farmhouse for a lesson in pasta making. The day ended with a late lunch prepared by the wife of the farmhouse owner.
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Tuscan countryside experience offered by Accidental Tourist   Olive oil production   Olive pressing   Wine making  
Wine making   Wine making   Grignano wines   Fattoria di Grignano  
Wine and olive oil tasting   Outside the Grignano Tuscan villa   Private chapel   Tuscan countryside  
Cooking Class   Cooking Class   Traditional Tuscan farmhouse   Traditional Tuscan farmhouse  
Unlike my existing love of Moët & Chandon champagne before visiting Epernay, France, I was not a big fan of Chianti before visiting Tuscany. Having now learned about Chianti, I am a bit of a fan. There are two Chianti regions in Italy, Chianti Clasico and Chianti Rufina. The production of Chianti is regulated by the Italian government through Denominazione de Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) and any wine labeled as Chianti must have been produced in Italy's Chianti region. Although the blend has changed recently, all Chianti wines must include from 75% to 100% Sangiovese, and up to 10% each of Canaiolo, other local red varieties, and/or the white Trebbiano or Malvasia. At one time the inclusion of white grapes was mandatory, but it is now optional. It is now possible to have 100% Sangiovese grapes.
Hotel Calzaiuoli   Santa Maria Novella Train Station   Santa Maria Novella Train Station   Santa Maria Novella Train Station  

I usually say a hotel only needs to have a clean bed and a clean bathroom because we should be out seeing the city during our time there. Well, after two nights in that type of hotel in Rome we were very happy with our seemingly luxurious hotel in Florence. We had arranged for this hotel because it was our anniversary and it was well worth it. The hotel was conveniently located to everything being just steps from the Duomo. Our room was very large with an extra sitting room and all marble bathroom.
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Tasting Grignano wines and olive oil   Tasting Grignano wines and olive oil   Grignano wines   Grignano wines   Pasta Making 101   Hotel Calzaiuoli  

Although many olive oils claim to be from Tuscany, the truth is many are not true Tuscan olive oil. The test of a great olive oil is the acidity. Low acidity indicates healthy olives during the harvest.

Extra-virgin olive oil is the highest class of olive oils. These oils have what is described as perfect taste and aroma. The olives are pressed shortly after they are harvested, and their oils never come into contact with chemicals or heat. They do not undergo any treatment other than washing, decantation, centrifugation and perhaps filtration.

Grignano Olive Oil is made from the first pressing of Frantoio, Leccino, and Moraiolo olives. The Grignano Olive Oil we tasted was very different from the olive oils we are used to eating. The flavor was very fresh and earthy with a hint of pepper.
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