Archive for 'Food and Wine'

Wine and Italy go hand in hand, with some of the world's most famous elixirs being manufactured here. From Chianti to Prosecco, there is no shortage of delicious wines to try. One of the most interesting is the vino novello in Italy, which is the new wine. There are numerous festivals and feasts throughout Italy, all in celebration of the new wine harvest. This fresh, young red wine is the first wine combing from the grape harvest, with an intense color and fragrance. It is served during the first part of November, and can be made from any local grapes. Some popular grapes that are used include Merlot, Nero d'Avola, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sangiovese, for example.

There are several rules that pertain to the vino novello in Italy. For example, it is only allowed to be sold after November 6th of the year of the grape harvest, after midnight.

If you'd like to learn about the tradition of wine making and you love Italian wine, you should come here and enjoy this magical time of the year. Wine tourism during the harvest season is a splendid experience you shouldn't miss!

A lot of cities and towns all around Italy held fairs and “sagre” to celebrate the grapes and wine.

If you are planning to come in Tuscany on the last week of September, we suggest you to make a day trip to the town of Impruneta and take part to the oldest harvest festival in the area, “La Festa dell’Uva”.

The beautiful city of Florence is the birth place of renaissance, and is often referred to as the Athens of the Middle Ages. This capital of the Tuscany region of Italy attracts millions of tourists each year, and was ranked as the world’s 72^nd most visited place in the year 2009. The city is also known as the fashion capital of Italy. Apart from the beautiful locales, grand history and friendly people, the city of Florence is also famous for the Firenze Gelato festival each year.

The Firenze Gelato festival will be held from May 23^rd to May 27^th, 2012 as part of the Florence International Handicrafts Trade Fair. The visitors can experience the process of ice cream making, and taste amazing craft gelato, made with authentic Italian ingredients.

You can also try fantastic cocktails with gelato. Bartenders can provide alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of the drinks to provide a refreshing and delightful break to people of all ages. Ice cream lovers can taste and buy hundreds of varieties of 100 percent Italian products.

While there is no concrete evidence to prove it, most historians believe that the ice cream originated in Florence during the Renaissance period. Ruggeri, an amateur cook and poultry seller, won the food competition organized by the Lords of Florence in the early sixteenth century. The fame and taste of the recipe spread across the Tuscany area, and the modern ice cream desserts were born. Painter and sculptor Bernardo Buontalenti surprised his guests at the inaugural banquet of the Fortress of Belvedere with his own ice cream recipe in1559.

Would you like to learn of all the good things and the good places to eat from the very start of your holiday?

If so then why not learn about the best places to eat around Florence from 10am - 2pm Monday to Saturday by taking part in the Taste Florence tour?

This tour will take you all around Florence, introducing you to some of the local, regional and national Italian specialities, including wine and sweets.

They visit more then 6 locations for a wide variety of tastings and it is recommended that you take the tour on your first or second day in Florence so that you know what to eat and where you can find it.

Taste Florence has been ongoing for years and it is the original tasting walk. It's hosted Chefs, Journalists and food bloggers, Gourmands, Foodies and also Vegans, Coeliacs and more. They can accomodate anyone and the aim is to bring a better cultural feel to your holiday so that you can taste the essence of Italy rather then just coming to see the sights. In fact, it’s so highly rated that Tripadvisor have given it a certificate of excellence! So don’t hesitate, act now and take the tour!

If you are booking a vacation rental near or in Florence then don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to treat your palate.

We look forward to seeing you here!

If you are going to visit Tuscany then one thing that you have to try is the Fiorentina Steak.

This is a typical florentine plate that consists of a thick beef steak that is well cooked on the outside but bloody on the inside. It's a tradition that is as old as the city from which it takes its name.

English speakers would possibly call this steak a 'Porterhouse' but finding a good one is not the easiest thing to do. The meat is sourced exclusively from Tuscany and it is the traditional T-bone style cut.