Chianti Classico Black Rooster wine region

This day trip will be an exploration to the heart of the Chianti Classico, the defined area that begins just South of Florence and reaches all the way to the North of Siena. While visiting the wonders of the area and in tasting its wines, you will come to understand the concept of terroir, and you will learn how Chianti Classico is made, how to distinguish the characteristics of the native grape varietals, and much more...
We depart at 10 am and head towards the Chianti Classico region. The ride won't be too long as we head into the beautiful wine region. From our air-conditioned van you will be able to admire the wild but fantastic country side, its grape and olive fields, ancient farmhouses and villages. Your driver guide will discuss the wine making of the area, its history and evolution so you may have a general understanding of the region. We may stop for a few photo ops, but our first serious stop will be in the first winery. We will head straight for the wine cellars for a tour of the winery to understand how the wines are obtained, from the viticulture to the winemaking... 

Time to verify all your new understanding and before midday, it will be time to taste the wines of the winery which will typically include at least one Chianti Classico, a Riserva and an IGT Super Tuscan. The pours are usually quite generous, so make sure to have a solid breakfast before coming on our tour! During the tastings we may discuss how to taste wines or how to read the label - or any questions that you may have... Nothing's rushed, so you'll have the time to relax and enjoy. At the end of the tasting you have the possibility of purchasing wines directly from the winery (which is cheaper than from the shops) or to ship some home. However, no pressure at all - just an opportunity that you now know you'll have.

At this point, lunch is usually a welcomed event! We move on to the close by village of Panzano in Chianti, famous for it's high quality wines but also for the Buther, Dario Cecchini, who has made the art of butchering sacred in Italy. We will visit his butcher shop and then proceed upstairs to enjoy some of the local specialties. The menu choices are limited, but the quality outstanding and fulfilling. The philosophy behind the meat is one to appreciate for sure, and the one embraced by the Slow Food; well-treated and well-fed animals given a decent life, giving us good and healthy food - something we should all appreciate in this time and age. If you are a vegetarian the choice is limited to a vegetables and potatoes - however, still delicious. Make sure to let us know if you are vegetarian!

To help your digestion we will visit another winery, highly rated by influential wine publications. Time for more wine! And you will certainly begin to fully appreciate the range of aromas and flavors that Chianti Classico wines have to offer.

To complete the tour in a nice pace, we'll stop in one of the picturesque Chianti towns for some free time to either stroll around and take pictures, sit on a bench and watch the locals, do some shopping in the local artisanal shops, continue wine tasting in one of the local wine shops, eat gelato or have coffee... so basically just free time to do what you prefer after a day of wine and food.