The wine tasting experience takes place at Enoteca Pontevecchio situated near Piazza Santa Croce, across from the National Library and close to the Arno river in Florence, at 1630h (4:30pm).
Enoteca Pontevecchio is an antique building from the 1500s housing prestigious brands of wine. An English and Italian speaking wine taster will introduce you to the fine wine culture of Florence and Italy. Learn how to taste and appreciate wines. You will also be explained about planting, selection, growing and harvesting. Find out how to read labels, which to choose and when to open certain bottles.
You will also learn how to taste olive oil, recognize good quality as well as defects in conservation, how to read labels, the best locations for growing olives in Italy and the process of making oil from harvesting to bottling.
You will taste 3 different wines and with each tasting you will be served a platter of mixed snacks comprising Pecorino Cheese, Tuscan Prosciutto and Tuscan extra virgin olive oil. Some of the wines you might taste are:
• White wine: From the wine-maker, Strele with refreshing soave 2005 vintage from Veneto area. The wine is smooth, and tastes of peach and almond. The wine maker has only 3 hectares of 100% Garganega grape.
• Red wine: An excellent example of a Chianti from a Castellare di Tonda wine maker, about 20 kilometres from Florence. It is 100% Sangiovese and the estate also produces olive oil.
• A Rosso di Montalcino 2005 vintage from a Collosorbo wine maker, or a la Serena wine maker, depending on availability. Rosso is the little brother of the Brunello (a red Italian wine) and a great example of Montalcino house wine.
Concludes at Enoteca Pontevecchio at 1730h (5:30pm).