The wines of Tuscany are famous the whole world through. Starting with the Chianti which is a house hold name in the world of red wines, through to the The Brunello di Montalcino, which has to age for 50 months in wood barrels. in order to be able to have on the label the nomination "Riserva" (reserve) The best part of the famous wines of Tuscany is obviously tasting them,This part of the site is about the various "Wine Trails" or "Strade di Vini" as they are known in Tuscany, where one can visit the vineyards and sample the variations. These pages are simply an introduction and in the near future, we will elaborate on the "Strade di Vini" and detail the various vineyards which one will find along the "trail" The different wine qualities The whole complex system of the wine classifications and the naming lies in the label. In fact the label gives essential information about the wine and its characteristics, which are standardized by the European Community. In accordance with EC-Regulations Labels ought to have the following features: 1. Name (eg. Chianti, Frascati, etc.) 2. Category (Vino da Tavola, DOC etc.) 3. Name and Number of the bottling factory 4. Alcoholic content 5. Volume in litres 6. Furthermore, in case of a sweet wine, the label should contain the remaining sugar content indicated with a "+" (eg. 10+2% vol.)DOCG is the abbreviation for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita, which means Wine of controlled and guaranteed origin. This nomination is destined only for a wine of a particular good quality. In order to get the DOCG nomination, the wine should have been part for at least 5 years of the DOC-wine. The DOC and DOCG wine corresponds to the so called wine of certified origin and quality.  The DOC- and DOCG-qualification system was developed in 1963. The first wine whose place of origin was controlled was the famous Tuscan white wine Vernaccia di San Gimignano. Afterwards were following the Chianti as well as the Brunello di Montalcino, both of Tuscan origins. From the 80's on, many types of quality wine were put on the market as normal table wines ("Vino da Tavola"), but with prices as high as those of the DOC wines. These are new created wine types for which the producer wanted to avoid the long way through the Italian authorities. Even the famous Sassicaia has had this problem until a few years ago. The difference between the Chianti and Chianti Classico After a ministerial decree in 1932, the Chianti region includes the whole area around Florence, the Chianti hills, the Elsa Valley and Siena. The Chianti Classico is obtained with a special production technique. Nine municipalities are part of the "Chianti Classico": Castellina in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, Greve in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Barberino Val d'Elsa, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Poggibonsi, S. Casciano in Val di Pesa, Tavarnelle Val di Pesa. Because of the always growing interest for wine that originates from Tuscany and also to improve the wine quality and to protect it as well, within only a few years were developed the Tuscan wine roads. 1. Strada del Vino dei Colli di Candi e di Lunigiana This is the most northern wine road in Tuscany. In northeast it borders with the Emilia Romagna and in the northwest part it borders with Liguria. We start our trip in Pontremoli and drive from there to Fosdinovo with the famous "Castello di Malaspina". Afterwards, we drive to Carrara, famous for the precious "Carrara marble" with which was also built the cathedral which is worth seeing. After that we go to Massa, where is located another castle of the Malaspina family. There, one should even visit the cathedral and the famous church of "San Rocco". Our next stage is Capanne, located south from Massa. The wine produced in this area is called "Candia". It is a very light white wine, ideal for fish dishes. 2. La strada del vino delle Colline Lucchesi e Montecarlo This road is located southeast from the Candia wine area. Our trip starts with Lucca with the imposing cathedral San Martino, the famous town square "Piazza del Mercato" (Engl. market square) as well as the famous villas around Lucca. Continuing from Santo Stefano towards San Quirico di Moriano, one arrives at the "Ponte a Moriano" (Engl. Moriano bridge). From here one continues driving over Colle, Valgiano and Gragnano until reaching Montecarlo. In this area is produced red and white wine.  3. La Strada Medicea dei Vini di Carmignano This road has antique origins or even better to say noble origins and winds between the Province of Pistoia and Florence, in the small Province of Prato, an area rich of history. In places like Poggio a Caiano, Artimino and Carmignano are produced DOC's such as the Barco Reale di Carmignano, the Carmignano Rosato or the Carmignano Rosso as well as the Carmignano Rosso di Riserva (both DOC). 4. La Strada dei Vini Chianti Rùfina e Pomino We are now southeast from Florence, between the Mugello and the Casentino area, on the border to the Emilia Romagna. As already indicates the name, it is a side area of the Chianti region. This wine road was the first one in Tuscany. Driving southwest, we start in Pontassieve sull'Arno towards Rùfina with the Medici-villa Poggio Reale, where today is located the wine museum Museo della Vite e del Vino. Then, we drive to Londa. Not far away are famous places such as Borgo San Lorenzo and the Ombrosa Valley (Vallombrosa). The wine of this area is the red wine Chianti Rùfina (DOCG) and the white wine Bianco Pomino (DOC).5. La strada del vino delle Colline Pisane From San Miniato one drives over the Pisan hills towards Pisa. In this area are produced the red wine Chianti and the Chianti delle Colline Pisane (both DOCG). Although both have the name Chianti, they are more delicate and lighter. Other DOC wine types of this area are the white wine Bianco Pisano di San Torpé and the Colli dell'Etruria Centrale. 6. La strada del vino di Montespertoli Montespertoli is located about 30 km southwest from Florence. Also the wine sorts of this area are part of the Chianti wine. The DOCGs are the Chianti di Montespertoli and the Chianti Colli, whereas the DOC wine is the Colli dell'Etruria Centrale. 7. La strada del Vino Chianti Colli Fiorentini This area is the whole area around the Tuscan capital Florence. Our trip starts southwest from Florence with Tavarnelle Val di Pesa. Afterwards one drives through places like Montelupo Fiorentino (famous for the there produced pottery and terracotta), Lastra a Signa, Scandicci and Florence. Or, departing southeast from Florence, starting with Ponte agli Stolli towards Figline Valdarno, Reggello, Rignano, Impruneta (production of terracotta pots) and at the end Fiesole with the cathedral San Romolo. The Chianti Colli Fiorentini is classified as DOCG-wine. Furthermore this area is the home of the famous Florentine family Antinori, whose wine-cellars are famous beyond the bounds of Italy. The whole area east of Florence produces wine of more density. 8. La Strada del Vino Vernaccia di San Gimignano San Gimignano is located northwest from Siena. Our tour along this wine road starts in the most southern part with Castel San Gimignano until reaching the town of San Gimignano also called the Manhattan of the middle ages. The next stop is Pancole, followed by Libbiano, in northeast position. Afterwards Sant'Andrea and Bibbiano. "La Vernaccia" (Engl. very dry white wine) was already mentioned in the 14th century. The wine types of this area classified as DOCG are: the white wine Vernaccia di San Gimignano and the red wine Chianti Colli Senesi, whereas the red wine Colli dell'Etruria Centrale and the white wine San Gimignano were awarded as DOC wine. 9. La Strada del Vino Terre di Arezzo This area is southeast from Florence and is famous for the there produced white wine. The trip starts with Cortona, from whose city walls it is possible to admire one of the most enchanting Italian valleys: the Val di Chiana (Chiana Valley) which extends until the Lago di Trasimeno (Trasimeno Lake) and the Monte Amiata. If one goes from here towards north, half way between Cortona and Arezzo is located Castiglion Fiorentino whose historical center is worth being visited. The next stop is Arezzo, a town with Etruscan origins. Continuing from here towards northwest, it is possible to visit places like Castiglion Fibocchi, Loro Ciufenna and Castelfranco di sopra. Returning San Giovanni Val d'Arno over the southern part, passing Cavriglia, Montevarchi, Civitella in Chianti, Monte San Savino until Foiano della Chiana. The DOC white wine is sold under the name Bianco Vergine di Valdichiana. Also the red wine Chianti DOCG is produced in this area. 10. La Strada del Vino Costa degli Etruschi The wine road starts with Montecatini Val di Cecina until Montescudaia (headquarters of the DOC-Consortium), Cecina, Bolgheri, Castagneto Carducci, Sassetta, Suvereto (until the 14th century in the possession of the ruling family of Aldobrandeschi), Campiglia Marittima (Palazzo Pretorio), Venturina (thermal springs) and ends with the port of Piombino. On the Island of Elba, the wine road continues and leads from Marina di Campo over the whole island, until Rio Marina. From this fertile ground originate famous types of wine such as the Sassicaia of the Count Incisa della Rocchetta. Already in the twenties as a student he was dreaming to produce a wine similar to the French Bordeaux. The year 1968 was the first year of the Sassicaia, produced on the land of the Tenuta di San Guido, near Bolgheri. The Sassicaia is even described by many wine experts as the best Italian wine. Also not to forget other DOC's of this area like the white wine Bianco della Val di Cornia (Suvereto) or the Elban wines, the Bianco L'Ansonica and the Rosso Aleatico. 11. La Strada del Vino Monteregio di Massa Marittima Directly adjacent to the area of the wine road of the Etruscan Coast starts the wine road of the Monteregio di Massa Marittima which within the past three years has acquired a great esteem. This road starts in the North with the thermal spring Terme di Bagnolo and goes from there over Monterotondo Marittimo, Massa Marittima (cathedral and Balestro del Girifalco), Scarlino (medieval castle) until reaching the coast with Follonica or Castiglione della Pescaia (picturesque seaside resort). Afterwards it goes again towards the interior passing Vetulonia (Etruscan excavations), Gavorrano, Montemassi and Roccastrada. The DOC red and white wine is called Monteregio di Massa Marittima.12. La Strada del Vino Montecucco Also the wine road of the Montecucco is part of the four Maremmana wine roads. It is located in the interior of the Maremma towards the Monte Amiata. Starting from north with Bagno di Petriolo, passing Civitella Marittima until the center of the area with Cinignano. From there it goes towards west, passing the Mountain Montecucco after which is called the wine road, until Campagnatico. The eastern part is Monticello, Castel del Piano (Torre dell'Orologio), Seggiano until reaching Ansedonia. 13. La Strada del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano The area of the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is situated between the Val d'Orcia (Orcia Valley) and the Val di Chiana (Chiana Valley), borders in the east with Umbria. The road starts in the north with Abbadia towards Montepulciano, passing Cervognano, Acquaviva until S. Albino. Only after two years of storage the wine can be called Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. This wine was the first one classified as DOCG and is one of the most important Italian wine types beyond the Italian bounds. Already in the 17th century, Francesco Redi called this wine the king of the Tuscan wine. The Rosso di Montepulciano, classified as DOC-wine is not aged for two years in wood barrels and is intended for the immediate consumption. 14. La Strada del Vino Colli di Maremma This area is situated in the south of the Province of Grosseto. Our trip starts with Capalbio, from where it goes towards Magliano in Toscana until reaching Scansano (red wine Morellino di Scansano). From Scansano one goes towards north until Istia d'Ombrone. Driving in the opposite direction, there are place like Pitigliano (built on a tuff rock), around which is produced the white wine Bianco di Pitigliano. On the return it is worth to visit Saturnia and the natural thermal baths. Back towards the coast one can visit Manciano and Orbetello. The DOC-wine Morellino di Scansano is a red wine of a very intensive colour that ideally goes with the typical cuisine of the Maremma (game and mushroom dishes). Whereas the DOC-white wine Bianco di Pitigliano is the ideal wine which accompanies the typical fish cuisine from the coast.

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