It’s often worth remembering that the glass, and its shape, matter when tasting a wine.
Here’s a nice article (in French) that explains the basics:
You may already have noticed, but there are several types of wine glass. In truth, there are countless numbers of them, every maker…
Service : Quels verres pour quels usages ?
The “buchette del vino”, or “wine windows”, are small wooden windows that were used for centuries to sell wine directly to customers in the street. These windows are often adorned with carvings and decorative designs, adding to the enchantment of the city of Florence. The “wine windows” are unique to Florence and are a symbol of the city’s wine culture.
We’ve chosen to take you to the restaurant Babae. The place is beautiful, and the simplicity of the menu takes nothing away from the deliciousness of the dishes.
Just want to have a glass? No problem — the wine window is there to oblige.
During our visit to that temple of wine that is Florence, we absolutely insisted on systematically tasting an Italian wine — and, while we were at it, a Tuscan one! As you can imagine, that wasn’t hard.
The owner of Babae recommended this young Grottaia. This wine is mainly made from Sangiovese grapes, a red variety typical of Tuscany, and may also contain other varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. It gives off lovely aromas of spice and tobacco. A well-balanced tannic structure, combined with aromas of red fruit and spice, made it a perfect companion for our little midday break.
For the evening, we chose a restaurant right in the centre, near the famous Piazza del Duomo. The dishes are hearty and refined and, here again, it wasn’t hard to find a local wine. Agricola Toscana blows the codes apart — no doubt about it, we’re in the heart of Italy. Don’t hesitate to book through The Fork to enjoy a discount.
This time we chose a wine di Montalcino, produced in the Montalcino area — in Tuscany, of course! It’s made from the same grape as the famous Brunello di Montalcino, Sangiovese, but it’s generally lighter and more accessible to drink young. Terre d’Elle Grazie is a well-regarded producer of Rosso di Montalcino. The wine offers aromas of fresh red fruit, floral notes and a lively acidity. Its freshness is everywhere; just close your eyes and all of Italy comes to dazzle you through the whole length. It went wonderfully with our pasta and meats.
Florence is a real favourite; wine is a deciding factor for a tourism stay.
Florence is one of Italy’s most emblematic and culturally rich cities. It’s famous for its history, its architecture, its art and its cuisine.
Florence is home to Renaissance masterpieces, notably the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral, the Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery and the Palazzo Vecchio. The city is brimming with museums, art galleries, artisan boutiques and picturesque markets, such as the leather market.
Impossible not to taste Tuscan pizzas! Let me give you a must-visit address. Head over towards the Ponte Vecchio, then push on a little further and drop by Gusta Pizza; unfortunately you can’t book a table — first come, first served — but I’m telling you, these pizzas are extraordinary!
To round off the evening, let me share a good tip:
The Lion’s Fountain is anchored in a stunning neighbourhood, perfect for a little pick-me-up! This lively district is ideal for spending evenings full of life while marvelling at the shops and their masterful ceilings.
Tuscany is one of Italy’s most renowned wine regions, and Florence serves as its gateway. The region is famous for producing high-quality wines, notably Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
Arriving in Florence, there’s one place indispensable to the city’s culinary life: the Mercato Centrale.
Its strategic position, close to the station — that most popular of landmarks — makes it a particularly cherished spot, both for locals and for passers-through like us.
Don’t be put off by its rather plain exterior, designed by the architect Giuseppe Mengoni in 1874. The interior is astonishingly modern, bursting with colours, overflowing local culinary aromas and music. Since 2014, this space has been transformed into a lively food market, offering a wide range of prepared dishes, local specialities, wines, fresh pasta and other Italian delights. Visitors can sample a variety of dishes prepared on the spot.
An exceptional wine bar sits at the back of the market, “The Wine House“, and rounds off perfectly the discovery of the Italian flavours everywhere in this market. Every code is respected to the letter! Pizza, pasta with every kind of sauce, desserts and, of course, Italian wines.
During our tastings we were able to sample some lovely wines:
Torre delle Grazie – Rosso di Montalcino 2021
A pretty pale, light robe; on the nose it tickles you with its hyperactive red-fruit aromas. On the palate it’s round and asserts the presence of raspberry and blackcurrant. It’s nicely balanced and enveloping through the length. Italy is everywhere in its freshness, but without aggressiveness.
Castello Della Paneretta – Riserva 2019
Bright, deep red to the eye, it defends with panache intense scents of blackberry and a light tobacco. On the palate it’s enveloping and of an intense red fruit; the spices that had announced their presence confirm their rank. A fairly fine length, but to my taste that’s no disaster.
“Rioja embodies elegance, depth and complexity, while staying true to its roots.”
Mariano García
1858: the birth of this incredible family adventure — and it wouldn’t be long before the first bottles began to stand out.
In 1895, the Lord of Rioja received a distinction that would, for the time, resonate around the world: the diploma of honour at the Bordeaux exhibition. It became the first non-French wine to win this award. That distinction proudly adorns the present-day label.
Marqués de Riscal is a famous wine producer located in Rioja, a renowned wine region in Spain.
One of their most emblematic creations is the Marqués de Riscal Reserva, often regarded as a classic Spanish wine of great quality. This wine is known for its complex taste, its aromas of red fruit and its ageing in oak barrels.
Marqués de Riscal is also famous for its impressive modern architecture. In 2006, the Hotel Marqués de Riscal, designed by architect Frank Gehry, is a work of art in its own right and has become a sought-after destination for lovers of wine and architecture.
The Marqués de Riscal bottle is often recognisable thanks to the characteristic golden wire that surrounds it. This golden wire is in fact a metal-wire cage, also known as a “mesh”. Its purpose is mainly decorative, but it also has a practical function.
Let’s taste this 2018 “Reserva” together: a robe of a bright, uniform red.
On the nose it’s spicy, on leathery notes. We already know it’s going to surprise us.
After dazzling the table with its aroma, its taste — with strongly pronounced tannins — wraps around your mouth perfectly. After a few moments, just when you think the brew has given all it has, a second wave of aromas appears, bringing red fruits to the fore. A discreet touch of acidity comes to close the show, then slowly fades, offering a balanced and persistent length. A delight…….
At under 20 euros, it’s an extraordinary wine that will grace any cellar and can stay there for several more years.
Passers-by, you are entering the ancient and celebrated cru of Saint-Julien; pay your respects!
Motto of the commune of Saint-Julien-de-Beychevelle
The Saint-Julien appellation is one of the four communal appellations of the Médoc, alongside Margaux, Pauillac and Saint-Estèphe.
The most famous estates of Saint-Julien include names such as Château Léoville-Las Cases, Château Léoville-Poyferré, Château Léoville-Barton, Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Château Gruaud-Larose and many others. Today I’m telling you about an estate less in the spotlight than these grands crus: Château Moulin de la Rose.
Since 1971, Guy Delon — together with his children Jean-François and Guylène, the first in the vines, the second handling the commercial side — has worked to produce an exceptional wine, and the result is sublime for this Lord of Saint-Julien.
You look at it, and quickly a lovely deep red with lighter, almost chocolatey edges appears as you swirl it.
The robe is highly nuanced; this brownish red is a warning: careful, you’d better get ready — we already sense it, we’ve got something good here!
On the nose it plays hide-and-seek. You have to hunt for the fruit — redcurrant, then vanilla — but leather and wood are ever-present. It nonetheless keeps a very steady balance; it won’t come and prickle your nose.
It’s confirmed: this wine is good — and yet we haven’t even tasted it.
After smelling and observing it, you feel this wine is extremely carefully crafted, every detail counts; no doubt the team is meticulous. I almost want to stop there, hardly daring to taste it for fear my eyes and nose might disappoint me.
Still, it’s hard to tell my host, “I won’t taste it!”.
On the palate, quickly it’s wood, wood and more wood… the tannins aren’t all that powerful but enough to remind us of its origin, typical of the great Médocs of Saint-Julien; the balance is striking and then, at last, the second curtain reveals the fruit.
The length begins with a little spike that reveals the wine’s maturity; it will be present and long.
Yes, it’s good, it’s very very good. The value for money is exceptional: at a price of around €30, it gives you access to an exceptional Saint-Julien! This 2017 is perfectly ready to drink and will surprise the most demanding guests. Don’t hesitate to pair this wine with a fine red meat, or poultry in sauce. No time? No problem — a nice pizza will do the trick.