Il Chianti

We were well keen to leave behind the crowds in Siena and climb back aboard Wickse for a tour of the famous rolling countryside of Il Chianti. These rolling hills, littered with cypress and olive groves, and rows upon rows of well tendered vines were definitely a sight to behold, and allowed me another opportunity to improve my skills at "campercam".

Casting aside the good old Lonely Planet in favour of the Tuscany chapter of our 'Wines Of The World' guide, we followed the SS222, or as we prefer to call it the 'Strada del Vino', as it snaked its way north from Siena through the villages of Chianti.

Vines, glorious vines!

Cypress madness

Recently harvested Chianti grapes

The famous sunbaked hills of Castellina in Chianti

We passed Wine village after wine village, plodding on towards our end destination of Greve-in-Chianti. In a fabulous case of coincidence, we were due to arrive on the final afternoon of the annual Greve-in-Chianti wine festival, or as it is known in these parts, the XVII Rassegna del Chianti Classico, and our very own opportunity to sample some of the world renowned local fare.

A Chianti taste meister

Chianti Classico, as we were soon to learn, is infact a blend of both red and white grapes, and a very tasty drop too. Upon arrival we were each presented with tasting glass and notebook and sent forth to sample the produce from several dozen local producers. For Chianti novices such as ourselves it was quite daunting, but we put on a brave face and ventured forth. It was great to be able to chat with the wine producers themselves, many of whom were good, honest, family outfits, and to see locals of all ages from Greve and the surrounding region out enjoying themselves on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The whole event was just so civilised and tasteful - if only the Devonport Food & Wine Festival could be like this!

The Sangiovese grape, heart of the Chianti Classico

Chianti Classico-ing in Greve in Chianti

The evening was finished with a very Italian style rock concert and an impressive pyrotechnic display, well from what we heard of it later that night whislt tucked up in bed in Wickse, it did sound pretty impressive!

But fabulous wine is not only what this little corner of Tuscany has to offer. Greve is also home to Macelleria Falorni, a long established (try 1729!) butchery renowned throughout the whole of Tuscany for its wild boar and Chianti infused pork products....yum! It is indeed rather like the Selfridges of butcheries, you could spend forever browsing the shelves and taking in the sight of meat in all its glorious forms. A true carnivore's paradise.

Salame di Cinghiale or Salame Magro Montanaro?

Skinny white truffle salami

Crikey! These ones still have tails on!!

3 kilos and €30 later

Half an hour later, having been relieved of almost €30, and armed with a few kilos of cured cuts, it was time to hit the road to Florence...

SJ