Tuscany is not just about art cities and quaint villages. In fact, the entire region offers unforgettable food and wine tours for those who appreciate indulging in excellent cuisine and beverages. From the hills, where some of Italy’s most renowned wines are produced, to the precious extra virgin olive oil, the truffle-rich area, and the land of pecorino cheese. Have you ever considered planning a holiday to explore the best and most characteristic recipes and wines of the region? Read our suggestions and get ready to discover this wonderful land.
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Chianti classico
Perhaps there’s no wine more internationally renowned than Chianti Classico. Dry, with a hint of spices and forest fruits, this wine takes its name from the enchanting area located between Florence and Siena, extending to Arezzo and the Colli Pisani. Amidst sips of wine, the Chianti region will captivate you with the beauty of ancient villages and win you over with its traditions and typical products.
The recommended tour starts from Impruneta, a small but charming village on the outskirts of Florence. Take a few minutes to visit the Basilica of Santa Maria and the nearby Museum of the Treasury. If you’re traveling between October and December, you’ll also have the opportunity to taste new olive oil at one of the many open mills.
Then, continue on to Greve in Chianti, the homeland of wine and the ideal stop for wine and cheese tasting. Numerous wineries in the area offer this experience.
Nearby, you’ll find the small medieval center of Panzano in Chianti, with its ancient square and the grocery shops lining the alleys, as well as the more famous Radda in Chianti. If you want to taste excellent Chianti Classico, don’t miss Castello di Volpaia, where you can participate in a wine tasting and a guided tour of the historic cellar.
Cinta Senese Cold Cuts
For those who love cured meats, trying Cinta Senese cold cuts is a must when you are in Tuscany. Raised since Etruscan times, this breed of pig is characterized by its dark coat and distinctive white band. Raised on a diet of cereals like corn and barley, as well as grass, and bred in the wild, in Maremma or the nearby Val d’Orcia, they have become one of Tuscany’s specialties. The processing of these cold cuts still follows artisanal methods, reflecting ancient traditions.
During your stay in Tuscany, you can visit a farm. Some farms offer tourists a day on the farm. In the San Gimignano area, you can taste exquisite cured meats and you will be surprised by their deliciousness. Ham, coppa, pancetta, salame get to know and appreciate the distinctive flavors of Cinta Senese cold cuts, accompanied by a good glass of Tuscan wine. It’s a unique experience not to be missed.
Tuscan Delicacies such as Pecorino, Pici and Chianina
Val d’Orcia is a charming area, the classic postcard Tuscany seen in travel magazines, located between the provinces of Siena and Grosseto, with medieval villages, castles, vineyards, and cypress-lined avenues. But it’s not just about that. You can also taste some of the best typical products of the region, such as Pienza pecorino cheese, pici pasta, and Chianina beef.
The first stop is in Pienza, where, after visiting the beautiful Cathedral, you can taste the famous pecorino. Don’t miss the opportunity to shop for yourself and friends at the Taverna del Pecorino. Continue towards San Quirico d’Orcia, with a stop at the Madonna di Vitaleta Chapel and the famous cypress trees, immortalized in photos and paintings.
In Val d’Orcia, the small village of Bagno Vignoni, Castiglione d’Orcia with its Tentennano Fortress, the Aldobrandesca Fortress, and the small San Giovanni Art Room museum are worth a visit. Monticchiello, a tiny medieval jewel surrounded by the Tuscan countryside, will also captivate you. To taste a good glass of Montepulciano, we recommend making a stop at the historic De’ Ricci cellars, in the homonymous village. In each location, you can enjoy the beauty of the landscape, discover historical treasures, and savor the flavors of local cuisine, such as pici, a typical long and thick pasta made with soft wheat flour, water, and salt, prepared with meat sauce, garlic, and oil, wild boar ragù, or fresh tomato, and Chianina beef, used for Florentine steaks, ribeye steaks with bone, and fillets.
White Truffle
San Miniato is one of Italy’s most beautiful medieval villages, located on the Via Francigena, in the province of Pisa. Strolling through the historic center, you’ll encounter the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and San Genesio, the Tower of Frederick II, or Palazzo Grifoni. A visit to San Miniato is always an unforgettable experience, blending art, gastronomy, history, and nature. However, in addition to its architectural beauty, San Miniato is also famous for being the home of the prized white truffle, the so-called “Tuber Magnatum Pico.” During your stay, don’t miss the opportunity to taste it. There are many traditional Tuscan recipes where it is used. Moreover, in certain seasons, you can participate in a unique experience: a truffle hunt, accompanied by an expert guide and their dog.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Tuscan extra virgin olive oil is a delicacy renowned worldwide. The Tuscan IGP extra virgin olive oil and the Seggiano DOP are the most appreciated.
Also, you can follow the olive oil route, known as the “Olive Oil Road of the Monti Pisani,” which follows the foothill route and crosses the municipalities of Vecchiano, San Giuliano Terme, Calci, Buti, and Vicopisano. With terraced olive groves and characteristic small villages, the landscape will steal your heart. Starting from Calci, in Valgraziosa, don’t miss a visit to the Certosa di Calci, then drive to Belvedere Monte Serra, at the foot of the Monti Pisani. Another very interesting stop is Agnano, where one of the oldest villas in Tuscany is located, called Villa di Agnano or Villa Tadini Buoninsegni, owned by Lorenzo the Magnificent.
In Seggiano, you can taste the native variety of olives from which the famous Seggiano DOP extra virgin olive oil is produced. In addition to visiting a farm, we recommend a visit to the Seggiano Olive Oil Museum, with a lunch based on local products accompanied by the so-called “Tuscan gold.” In any case, strolling among olive groves and farms and savoring Tuscan extra virgin olive oil is one of the most authentic and enjoyable gastronomic experiences you can have in Tuscany.
Red wines: Montalcino e Montepulciano
Among the gastronomic excellences of the region, Tuscan red wines are appreciated all over the world.
In particular, Brunello and Vino Nobile, respectively from Montalcino and Montepulciano, are among the most famous. Both villages can be visited in a day, starting from Montalcino, the city of Brunello. Here, the medieval historic center is surrounded by ancient walls, and inside, numerous wine shops can be found. One of the most famous is the “Grotta del Brunello” wine shop, where you can taste excellent wines accompanied by a board of cold cuts and typical local products.
One of the most well-known wine in the world, Vino Nobile is produced in Montepulciano. After a stroll in the historic center, visiting the Cathedral and admiring the exterior of the Town Hall, you can take part in a visit to the De’ Ricci cellars, the historic cellars of Montepulciano. We are certain it will be an unforgettable experience for lovers of good wine and Tuscan cuisine.
And you, have you already booked your villa in Tuscany to discover all the gastronomic delights that this region has to offer?
And you, have you already booked your villa in Tuscany to discover all the gastronomic delights that this region has to offer?
