If you consider yourself a food and wine tourist, and love Italy, then you cannot miss out on this year's edition of Wine Town taking place in Florence from the 21-22 September.
Wine Town 2012 is a good excuse to spend a long weekend in the Tuscan capital and participate in one of the most loved and unique events amongst wine enthusiasts.
This year is the 3rd edition and once again the historical center of Florence will be transformed when 15 of the city's most fabulous noble palaces open their doors to the public by guesting wine makers from across the region and beyond.
Music, theatrical performances and good food will accompany you from 15.00 alle 23.00 on both days.
Firstly, the wine you will be tasting.
Florence is, of course, associated with Chianti and the cloisters and gardens of these magnificent locations, which even many residents haven't had the opportunity to visit will be where you can taste the best of these and other wines.
From the famous Palazzo Pitti and Palazzo Vecchio, to Palazzo Guicciardini, Palazzo Corsini Suarez, Chiostro Grande dell’Ammannati, Palazzo Davanzati, Palazzo Bartolini Salimbeni, Chiostro del Magistero, Palazzo Antinori, Loggia del Grano, the Museum of Bargello, Palazzo Pazzi Quaratesi, Palazzo Non Finito, Chiostro delle Oblate, to the garden of the ex Florence Museum Com’Era.
To taste the wines just purchase a Wine Card for 15 euro with which you will be entitled to a wine glass and a ticket for 5 tastings. The card is also available online from the dedicated website - www.winetown.it
So what to try? Of the Chianti's take note of the Chianti Classico Riserva 2008 di Castello di Volpaia and Castello Fonterutoli Chianti Classico Docg di Marchesi Mazzei, produced from a careful study of selected Sangiovese. Of course there has to be the wines of Marchesi Antinori, to be tried in the rooms of Palazzo Antinori.
The organisers also suggest the Capsula Viola, a light white, perfect with delicate dishes during the hotter months of the year. White lovers should also try the Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg from the stand of the same Consorzio located in Palazzo Davanzati.
Dont miss out on the guided tastings of Sauternes, Sangiovese and organic wines which must all be booked in advance online.
The Agorà
As with festivals of once upon a time, Wine Town 2012 is not an event where you sit down and just watch passively. All 5 senses are required to taste, smell, listen, touch and watch to enjoy the full experience.
Moving from one side of the city to the next, from the quaters of Proconsolo, Oltrarno and Tornabuoni on foot or by rickshaw do stop in the squares to try a wine or take part in a theatrical perfomance.
The live music concerts are also not to be missed and are the centepriece of Wine Town: from classical music to jam sessions and music d’autore, quality all the way through.
The Sapore
Do not overlook the gastronomic proposals starting with the cooking shows where 18 renowned chefs from the best restaurants in Tuscany will be working right in the centre of the city in specially set up market gardens. You will find them in Piazze di Santo Spirito, Piazzetta della Loggia and Piazza Strozzi.
The chefs will prepare dishes from the products of the markets.
To name names: Luca Cai, the king of tripe (typical Tuscan dish), Luciano Zazzeri the guru of fish, Andrea Bianchini a chocolate artist, and also Simone Bonini the creator of emotional ice cream. and many more.
WINE TOWN LINKS
www.winetown.it
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wine-Town/103560763072183
https://twitter.com/wine_town & #winetown12
www.flickr.com/photos/winetown
www.youtube.com/user/winetown
press release supplied to Delicious Italy by Wine Town
