Free at last in Tuscan Vineyards
As Italy just started to open after its long Covid hibernation, I got the jump on things in April and headed south to Tuscany for a few days.
My first stop was the ancient but obscure wine appellation of Carmignano, Italy’s smallest appellation that lies just east of Florence. The unique thing about Carmignano is that producers here (today there are just a dozen) have been blending local mainstay red Sangiovese with Cabernet from France since the Renaissance era of the Medici.
As a terroir traditionalist, I shy away from such international blends. But in Carmignano the blending here has stood the test of more than four centuries. And the results are delicious.
Check out my Robert Camuto Meets… column at winespectator.com chronicling my visit to Carmignano’s historic Capezzana and the opening of a still lively 1931 vintage.
After Capezzana, I headed south to Chianti Classico to countrysides were empty of tourists, frigid, and in full bloom. Restaurants were still shuttered, but wildlife—songbirds, deer, pheasants, foxes and more-- were abundant.
Stay tuned for more….