Italian red is among the finest red wine to ever hit your palette. Deep, rich and undeniably luxurious, you can tell when the red you’re drinking is from Italy versus anywhere else in the world. Having never actually been to Tuscany, I do have to admit that this is mostly true for me because I read wine bottle labels and it actually just tells me it’s Italian. I also love a good Argentinian Malbec and if I’m drinking Pinot Noir, I want it to be from Oregon. However, Italian reds are among the best in the world and for good reason. The region is perfect in terms of weather, lifestyle and condition to grow grapes that make beautiful wine, and Tuscan vineyards should become a part of everyone’s bucket list.
When our kids are a bit older and we don’t mind leaving them for more than a few days at a time, Tuscany is high on our list places to go (and not just because we really, really love wine, but mostly because we just really, really love wine). When we go, we’re going to the best wineries in the region, and I’m already recommending them based solely on how good the bottles I’ve already had actually are.
Castella di Ama
Built alongside the grounds of a castle that was erected in the 12th century and completely remodeled in slightly more modern times, this is one that is high on my list of vineyards to see. Not only do you get to drink amazingly beautiful wine, you get to do it in a castle. At the risk of sounding absolutely cliché, this does seem like the perfect location to drink wine and document the moment with flawless Instagram photos.
Capo d’Uomo
One word; Sangiovese. If you’ve never had this perfectly amazing red wine before, go find it now. I can promise you it’s far easier to find in some places than others; and where I live in Florida it is not easy to find. This vineyard creates its own Sangiovese, and it’s described as perfect. Additionally, the vineyard is placed on a piece of land like no other; between a lush forest and the beautiful sea. The views here are said to be some of the most breathtaking in the world, and breathtaking views and sangiovese are the two best things in existence.
Antinori Chianti Classico
Olive groves are some fo the most famous sites in all of Italy, and you’ll see plenty of those here, too. This is one of the most historic vineyards in Tuscany, owned by a locally famous family. Since many of the buildings and areas of the winery that are visited by guests are underground, it’s also one that sounds nothing short of intriguing. Honestly, it’s that feature that attracted me to this vineyard from the start – my love of Chianti Classico was a very close second.
San Guido Sassicaia
Beautiful scenery and historic architecture are fascinating and when you add a uniquely created red wine to it, it’s even better. What makes this winery so amazing is the fact that it is family-owned and it’s almost a century old. The family began the winery in the 1920s to make their own wine in a very Bordeaux-friendly climate, and they really have created something that is not easy to find anywhere else in the world, but is worth drinking as much as you can when you do come across it. Did I mention that photos of this vineyard make you want to stop everything and go right now?
Salcheto
Of the vineyards I’d love to visit in Tuscany, this is the one I have last on my list because if I cannot make it to all of them, this is the one I’ll skip. Not because I want to skip it, but because I really want to see the others more and I can’t promise I won’t have one massive headache by the time I’m done (because I don’t swirl and spit my wine – it seems like a waste to me). It’s a self-sufficient winery that is the first of its kind, and it’s exceptionally environmentally-friendly. The wine is said to be delectable, but I do feel almost as if I’d spend my time tasting with people who only cloth diaper and co-sleep until their kids are 39. It sounds fine, but not much like my favorite.
