Treading Grapes

Tuscany offers some of the most spectacular scenery in Europe. The unique combination of cypress trees and olive groves mingling with vineyards and woods on undulating hillsides is enchanting. With villages and villas at every turn, what better way to explore the countryside than on foot? Over fifteen months of changing seasons Rosemary George did just that, visiting wine producers along the way, observing and savouring the local colour and the idiosyncrasies of a myriad of winemakers. Each chapter will feature a walk through a wine region and include advice on the key estates, places to visit and favourite restaurants. Chianti, which covers the heart of Tuscany, is the wine we all know and love, with vineyards in the magical hills around Florence and Siena, and the medieval cities of Arezzo and Pisa. However, the face of Tuscan viticulture has changed enormously in recent years with the development of the vineyards of the Maremma, bringing a host of new wines. "Treading Grapes" charts this wonderful renaissance of Tuscan wines, not just of Chianti, but also of the newer prestigious names such as Sassicaia and Ornellaia in the rising area of Bolgheri. It also covers the old-established wines of Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and several others, not least the island of Elba. It will be enjoyed by wine enthusiasts and armchair travellers alike.