For some people going to Florence, it is not only the goal of seeing the great Renaissance architecture and reliving history, but it is also to experience wine tasting in Tuscany of some of the great wines made in the region. There are many wine tours for those who want to experience Tuscany in style and, conveniently, you will be able to arrange a Tuscany wine tour either with the hotel in Tuscany you are staying at or prior to your Tuscany vacation, online at one of the websites of the companies that arrange wine tours.
Wine tours should best be started in the morning because they can take up a lot of the day, so the early started, the better. To enjoy the wine tours of Tuscany means much more than just tasting the wine. Most of the vineyards in Tuscany are located on hilltops and offer a splendid view of the surrounding landscape. These scenic views offer much to the artist or photographer. To understand more about wine, most tours will take you around the vinery, starting at the VAT room- where the process of destemming and vinification are described in detail. Then you get a chance to go to the cellar where the wines are stored until they age. Each visit ends with a wine tasting session and one can also buy wine made here. Depending on the wine tour, you may also get a chance to lunch at a winery to get a better understanding how wine and food are intricately related.
To get most of the Tuscany wine tour, set aside a full day because many tours also incorporate visits so the nearby villas, olive groves and castles. The day will be a breathtaking day in Tuscany. There are many vineries in Tuscany but the most renowned Chianti regions near Florence should not be missed. There are two other wine towns, not to be missed, including Siena and San Gimingnano where one can taste the superb Chianti and Vernaccia wines.
Other vineries are located in the town of Montalcino where the famous Italian Brunello wine is made. Most Tuscany wine tours include Montalcino where one can view the splendid cypress groves, eat the grapes and also enjoy a great lunch at the Tuscan castle. After the tour, one also gets a chance to visit the ancient Abbey of Saint Antimo.
Just south of Florence is another super Chianti region known as Badia a Passignano and Greve where the Gallo Nero wines are made. The wine tour in this area takes you through the stunning country side, stopping at the small towns famous for authentic Tuscany cuisine.
South of Siena is the town of Montepulciano where the excellent Vino Nobile is produced. Here the wine tour will take you around the sprawling hilltops and give you a glimpse of the beautiful vineries. Both Sangiovese and Canaiolo Nero grapes are used to produce this stunningly successful vino Nobile.
Wine tours of Tuscany are best enjoyed with professionals. Most hotels in Florence will organize a wine tour for you. Make sure to take an empty backpack because you will be returning with some great wines to bring back home. The cost of a wine tour ranges between $75-$200. If you are traveling to Tuscany, a wine tasting tour should be included in your itinerary.