I met Alyson around 12 years ago when we were both having lunch at Dario Cecchini, the famous butcher in Panzano in Chianti. Those of you who've watched Dario's episode on Chef's Table (Netflix) know that he's a hardworking genius who's transformed a butcher shop in a celebration of life itself. Dario isn't just an animalist-butcher (yeah, I know that sounds controversial, so if you want to dig deeper see this post), he's also a people-person. In his restaurants, you sit (at

Here’s a title that could confuse in several ways! Now, let me start by introducing Nicolò who’s one of the two De Ferrari brothers who make distinctive and delicious wines in the region of Montepulciano in Tuscany. The family name De Ferrari is incidental and there’s no connection with the racecar ;) And I already gave you a hint that the Montepulciano that we’re talking about is the region, not the grape. Yes, confusing indeed. Italy has a grape called Montepulciano which g

Le Pergole Torte is possibly Tuscany’s most famed Sangiovese wine, but ironically, even though made within a well-known appellation like Chianti Classico, it doesn’t wear the DOCG “fascetta” seal or the historical black rooster emblem. The original recipe for Chianti Classico required the wine to be a blend. The primary grape was and still is Sangiovese, but the blending partners were Canaiolo (local red) with Malvasia Bianca Lunga (white) and Trebbiano Toscano (white). These