Archive for 'Food and Wine'

The Chianti region of Tuscany is the most famous wine region of Italy and is home to countless incredible wineries producing delicious Tuscan wines. However, if you have found a villa in Florence or a villa in Siena and are looking for a nearby winery in Chianti to visit, then one that we recommend and one of the most picturesque and charming that you could possibly hope to visit is in the region is the Villa Spoiano. Browse our amazing villas in Chianti and get planning a foodie trip to Tuscany that includes plenty of delicious local wines and a wine-tasting session to help you learn more about the history and production of wine in the region in this special gem of a winery.

Foodies often choose to vacation in Tuscany as there is a wide breadth of different culinary experiences to enjoy in the region. There are lots of local delicacies to be tried, famous gelato shops, bakeries, and restaurants to visit, specific food festivals to attend, traditional markets selling the freshest produce, and much more besides to experience in Tuscany. In fact, one could readily (and happily) spend a whole holiday in the region just going on a foodie road trip around Tuscany to try it all! However, if you were considering a villa with pool in Volterra and you are looking for a highly unique, inexpensive, and fascinating dining experience, then we have just the thing for you: a visit to the restaurant in the Fortezza Medicea.

Serious foodies know that one of the world's must-see holiday destinations for those who like to eat well is Tuscany. Home to a rich food culture that has produced globally-recognised dishes served up in millions of households all over the world every day, hearty favourites inspired by peasant food traditions, superstar ingredients that are acknowledged for their excellence by the European Union, incredible wineries turning out endless delicious wines, ice-cream shops from children's dreams, bakeries stuffed full of traditional treats and cakes, and much more besides, there are lots of impossibly tasty things to eat and drink if you have found a villa in Tuscany and are spending time in the region. However, one particular product that might not immediately come to mind when thinking of the culinary tradition of Tuscany is chocolate. Despite this, Tuscany is home to the, “Chocolate Valley,” where most of the best chocolate in Italy and some of the best chocolate in Europe is produced each year. If you were thinking about a vacation in Tuscany and you're a chocolate-lover, then this is one more reason to bite the bullet and book your villa with pool in Tuscany today!

There are lots of different wineries that one can choose to visit while on vacation in Tuscany but if you have found a luxury villa in Florence and are looking for a pretty, respected, and nearby winery to head to on a day trip out of the city then few options could be as ideal as Castello di Nipozzano. Located high on a hillside in the municipality of Pelago in the Chianti wine region, near Florence, overlooking the towns of San Francesco and Pontassieve and the ancient Roman road, the Cassia Vetus, it has long been a point of strategic importance in guarding the city of Florence. It has also been long recognised as a rather special architectural gem and has been a winery that is opened to the public and a foodie destination since the 20th century. A truly magical and utterly beautiful place to sample some delicious local wines, it is a must for wine-lovers who are spending time in Florence.

Tuscany has produced some of the most famous cakes and breads in Italy with the likes of the beloved spicy Christmas treat that is Panforte coming from Siena, as well as the less well-known Panpepato; Castagnoli, Amaretti di Carmignano and Cantuccini biscuits coming from Prato; and the zesty Schiacciata alla Fiorentina and ancient ice-cream cake that is Zuccotto coming from Florence. While these baked treats can now be found all over Tuscany and Italy and all throughout the year, many were originally very localised and made to celebrate specific events and religious festivals such as saints days, Christmas, and Easter.

Dark brown in colour, with a glossy finish due to the sugar and egg glaze applied to the crust, the Buccellato sweet bread from Lucca is soft inside and is sweet, flavoured with aniseed and the sultana raisins that are stirred into the mixture. It is a must-try for any self-respecting foodie who has found a luxury villa in Lucca, particularly if you are visiting in the Fall, as it is an excellent and seasonal treat that is perfect comfort food to enjoy as temperatures drop and everyone looks forward to cosy nights in. As the locals say, “Chi viene a Lucca e non mangia il buccellato è come non ci fosse mai stato” (“Whoever comes to Lucca and doesn’t eat buccellato can't say that they've been here").