Balance & Spice

Castello di Verrazzano

Today, for lunch, we headed to a castle.

No biggie.

We’d heard great reviews of the Castello di Verrazzano, a Chianti Classico producing winery that gives tours and lunch. We chose to do the food and wine experience, which included a 5-course meal, with a gluten-free menu for me. Yay!

Our day started with a workout, as it often has on vacation. I haven’t written too much about it, but I have to credit Julie’s at home workouts for us not gaining a trillion pounds. We do usually 30 minutes a day of intense circuit workouts, and of course, tons of walking around and sight-seeing. I’ve found that breaking a sweat before breakfast has made a huge difference in my self-esteem and well-being.

Then, we headed over to the castle. The castle is about 2 miles off a winding road that is just stunning, plopped in vineyards as if it grew there on it’s own.

We met Elena, our tour guide. Both of us were shocked by how many people there were – about 30 on the tour! People from all over the world, but tons of New Yorkers made a showing.

First, we explored the beautiful gardens of the Verrezzano’s (now owned by another family). The Verrezzano’s, until the 1960′s, had lived on the property for 1,000 years. Giovanni di Verrazzano, born in 1485, was the first European since AD 1000 to land in New York, and thereby is credited with discovering it. He even has a bridge named after him!

Castello di Verrazzano wine cellar

After the gardens, we explored the beautiful cellars, where they make and store their wine. It was fun to hear about the different kinds of grapes, barrels and processes used to make their many wines.

After the tour, it was time for the fun to begin!

We started with Elena talking us through our tasting.  Elena was not only a great and funny tour guide, but gave excellent tips on how to really taste wine.

Steps to a Wine Tasting

1. Pour the wine. Pour only a few ounces – no need for a goblet when first tasting it.
2. Check the color. Usually, the more intense the color, the longer the wine has been aged. Then, tilt the glass to the side so you can see the wine on an angle, preferably against something white, like a table cloth. The top part (nearest the rim) should be much paler than the rest of the wine. If it’s all the same color, throw it out.
3. Get your nose in it. Swirl the wine around so you can smell the fruit, not just the alcohol. Stick your nose in the glass, and inhale deeply. Notice the odors and what it reminds you of – there is no wrong answers!
4. Taste it. Take a small sip, and let it settle on your tongue. Note the flavors. Enjoy.

We started with the Verrazzano Rosso red Tuscan IGT, with a platter of ham, salami, lardo (don’t ask too many questions) and for me, gluten-free bread that was wonderfully delicious – it tasted like real Tuscan bread, and I got to dip it in the olive oil grown on the property!

Salami from wild boar raised on the property

Lardo. Just pretend it's butter.

Proscuitto

Then, we had a gluten-free ribollita, which is traditionally made on a bread base. It’s a cabbage, black cabbage and white bean soup, and it’s to die for. I’ll try and get the recipe, though I shudder to think of how much olive oil is in that divine mixture!

Gluten-free ribbolita.

Afterwards, we tried their Chianti Classico DOCG with corn penne with tomato sauce and herbs. The Chianti was stronger then the Verrazzano Rosso, and it was much dryer. Delicious.

gluten-free penne with fresh tomato sauce

Afterwards, we had the Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, with grilled sausages, ribs, salad, and white beans. I was already pretty full, so had a small sausage and a rib, with salad, cauliflower, and white beans.

Next, we had the SuperTuscan, which was my favorite of the wines. Rich, bold in flavor, and a bit more familiar to me, probably due to the french grapes in the mix . We had it with some pecorino cheese and their Verrazzano Balsamic, that was so delicious I had another spoonful…and then another. Three teaspoons of Balsamic makes cat a happy girl!

We finished with a taste of vin santo and grappa, which I couldn’t have more than a few teeny sips of, as it was so strong.

It was a delicious meal, and a great way to experience the wines of Tuscany!

To walk off our meal, we went to a local village, Montefiore, and wandered around for about 45 minutes It was so cool to see a true Tuscan village, with no shops or tourist things, just people walking around and living.

Finally, we headed home for a mellow, light meal of grilled salmon and white beans. Tough life.

Love to you,

Kat

Note: All photos courtesy of Anthony van der Hoorn. Thanks, lovebug.