Rebecca Uncorked

Pleased to introduce myself, I'm Rebecca Christophersen, president of Cultural Association, Associazione del vino Toscano.

I've been involved with Tuscan wines since I first came to Italy in the mid 90's. First, as a restaurant co-owner (Enoteca Baldovino - see pics below) in Florence together with friends, David and Catherine Gardner who have opened a beautiful country hotel in Greve in Chianti (Villa Bordoni). The mid nineties was when the Super Tuscans had really caught on and we had the unique opportunity to be around local wine enthusiasts and had the possibility to taste many a wine... While running the Enoteca Baldovino, we all did the 3-year Sommelier course in Florence.

In 2002 my wonderful daughter was born and the restaurant business became too hectic and so instead I started a company named Vinalità (a blend of words "vino" (wine) and "qualità" (quality)) and have since then worked as a wine broker and exporter for many smaller wineries in Tuscany.


Above: 2007.
To the left: Firenze Spettacolo 1999.
To the right: painting by friend Signe Olander 2000.
 

I'm a member of the Italian Organization of Sommelier (AIS). When I find the time, I join professional wine tastings and get a lot of contacts by attending the important wine fairs and exhibitions of Italy.

My general curiosity has led me to travel extensively in the wine country here in Italy, Tuscany in particular. I adore the wine country for its unique beauty and admire the people involved in the wine making. And I haven't yet found anything that matches the diversity of Italian vine varietals and regional wines - a never-ending experience full of pleasant surprises and satisfactory discoveries. Lately I have taken on a love of organic and biodynamic wineries that are usually small, family run farms with lots of love for their land and their products.

So, I hope to express my enthusiasm for this contagious subject to all members of the Cultural Association "Associazione del vino toscano" (the Tuscan Wine Society), which has members here in Tuscany, founders of the association that include journalists, restaurateurs, wine makers, to the farmers themselves, and anyone from anywhere around the World interested in the Tuscan wine and food.

In the spring of 2009 me and another 3 people opened a restaurant in the town of Colle Val d'Elsa, a real Tuscan gem, famous for the production of crystal. The concept is slow food, from local produce, traditional Tuscan recipes, etc.: www.cucina-popolare.com

The new project starting in March 2010 is The Tuscan Wine School, so wine classes in the heart of Siena, Tuscany. To check that out, please see www.tuscanwineschool.com

For some informal scribblings, I would like to invite you to see my blog. Feel free to hook up with me on facebook, too!

Email: info@tuscan-wine-tours.com
Phone: (+39) 333-7229716

Associazione del Vino Toscano, Piazza Spartaco Lavagnini 1 H 53034 Colle di Val d’Elsa, P.IVA / Cod Fisc: 01273910529, Liability Insurance 109287455 Allianz Supalpina Spa