Travel Friday - Strada del Vino Arezzo

Strada del Vino is 120 miles and 180 producers in beautiful Tuscany. A trail that winds between wineries and eateries in the Tuscan countryside.  You will travel through olive groves and rolling hilss.  The region is rich in art and history from Etruscan to medieval villages.

The region represents 8 Denomination of Origin wines.  They are Chianti DOCG, Chianti Colli Aretini DOCG, Colli Etruria Centrale DOC, Valdichiana DOC, Cortona DOC, DOC Pietravivva, Vin Santo del Chianti DOC and Vin Santo del Chianti Colli Aretini DOC.

I had the opportunity to taste some of the regions wines and meet with the owners/winemakers at the New York Wine Expo.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that many of these wineries offer lovely accommodations.  Baracchi Winery offers accommodations in a beautiful 22 room Relais & Chateaux Inn on their 60 hectares of which 20 are planted with vines.  They have been making wine at Baracchi since 1862.  While staying here you will have the opportunity taste their Smeriglio Sangiovese which was rated 91 by Wine Spectator.

Another winery on the wine road is Il Borro.  I found their Chardonnay as a standout in the Expo.  Lamelle is 100% Chardonnay which is grown on the edge of what was once a lake and now the terror is fossilized sea shells.  50% is fermented in steel tanks and 50% in oak.  It's aged for 2 months in used oak.  2006 was their first vintage of Lamelle.  It has quite a beautiful taste with bouquet of white flowers and fresh fruit with good acidity.


The region of Stada del Vino Arezzo offers charming villages,where you can rent a beautiful Tuscan villa, live like Italians for a week and enjoy the rolling hills, farmhouses, olive groves, Etruscan villages, history and of course lots of wine.