Wine and Olive Oil in Tuscany and Piemonte

The Wines and Olive Oils of Tuscany ...Tuscany is a series of hillsides and towns where the art of viticulture and wine-making reaches its pinnacle and where the tastes and flavors of good wine blend completely with the history and culture of an entire area.

Today's "Super Tuscans", now setting the pace in the marketplace, are proprietary wines produced almost exclusively from the grapes of a single vineyard. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes are used alone or blending in various proportions with Sangiovese grapes in making the Tuscan giants. Quality wines such as Brunello di Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Chianti and Chianti Classico, Vemaccia di San Gimignano and Carmignano are highly sought after among real connoisseurs.

Along with the vine, the olive is an important part of Tuscan agriculture. Hand-picked fruit is bruised and cold-pressed to yield a product with unique chemical, physical and sensory characteristics. Italy's greatest poet, Dante Alighieri, described oil as the "liqueur of the olive" to underline its extraordinary fragrance and flavor.

With the expert guidance of regional sommeliers and maestri oleari (master oliviers), learn to appreciate, taste and understand the cultural implications of fine wine and oils. Winery visits and olive oil productions excursions are planned for Chianti, Montepulciano, Montalcino and Chianti.

The Noble Wines of Piemonte ...It is difficult to find the words to describe the poetry of Piemonte where imagination runs between the hills and the towns and where the vine is affectionate and dutiful. One only needs to be present during the period of the vendemmia (grape harvest) in September with the Moscato and Dolcetto grapes that continues through October with the Nebbiolo grapes to become mesmerized by a magic where the fatigue of intense labor transforms into a heightened emotion.

Producers such as Angelo Gaja, a true wine nobleman, famous throughout the world for his Barolo and Barbaresco wines refuses to settle for the top awards in the category of Piemonte reds, but pushes on to produce extraordinary whites.

With the guidance of a professional sommelier, discover the aristocratic wines of the region while visiting wineries that dot the magnificent Piemonte countryside covered with vineyards, hazelnut trees and pastures. Visits and wine tasting is scheduled at the Regional Enoteca of Piemonte housed in the castle of Count Camillo Benso di Cavour and at the Regional Enotecas of Barbaresco and Barolo.