Discovering Chianti
Chianti, a part of Tuscany region in Italy and it's composed by the province of Firenze, Siena and Arezzo. This region is famous regarding the wine, the label Chianti Classico indicate the wine is produced in the heart of Chianti.
When you procude a Chianti wine, you can have the logo of the black Rooster, gallo nero in italian, it has to keep at least 80% of San Giovanni species of grapes in the wine.
Source: wikipedia
Arezzo
Arezzo, a village located in Tuscany region and the capital of the province of Arezzo. This village is famous, because some poets or artists, like Giorgio Vasari or Guittone d'Arezzo was born in this village.
It's a charming village, where the movie 'life is beautiful', in italian La vita è bella, is shooted and played by the italian actor Roberto Benigni.
In this village, you can discover the somptuous main and historical place Piazza Grande. In this place you have the Santa Maria della Pieve a church built in the 13th century. If you like visiting museum, near the Piazza Grande, you have the Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici, or Casa Vasari if you want to visit the home of the artist Giorgio Vasari.
Near this main square, you have the Medicean fortress of Arezzo situated on the hill of San Donato, Fortezza di Arezzo, it's a Medici Fortress built in 9th and 11th century.
If you want to eat there, I recommand this spot, the Antica Osteria l'Agania and the dishes was amazing.
If you have a chance to visit Tuscany one day, you should not miss here. This village is not too far from Firenze, when we were there, we rode 1 hour with the car for going there.
Siena
Siena, capital of the Province of Siena, in chianti region. The historical center of Siena is registered to UNESCO and it's very fabulous, with the main square, Piazza del Campo. Near this square, you have the Duomo di Siena, a Cathedral built during the 12th century, it's a gothic architecture style. The size of this cathedral is incroyable, 89 meters of length and 77 meters of height. On the facade, you can see stripes of white and black marbles and some red marble. You can see a set of statues on it, and there represents prophets and patriarchs.
Near the Piazza del Campo, you have the Porta di Fontebranda, behind this beautiful spot, you have the Basilica Cateriniana San Domenico and behind, a wonderful spot above Siena. Walking up there, worth it.
Palio di Siena
Twice per year, you have an event, a traditional medieval horse race, called the Palio di Siena. This competition is composed of ten rides and horses, each riders represent a contrade - a district at Siena, of seventeen. The race start at Piazza del Campo and ride arround this piazza. The winner is the first horse which cross the finish line. This race is very short, the duration can be 90 seconds.
If you have the luck to visit Siena during this event, you should not miss it.
Eating at Siena
You have differents restaurant at Siena, but, for my journey at Siena, I ate in a sandwich shop, Du' Cose Da Berna, situated at Via diacceto. You will find sandwiches, foccacia, panini, etc. The price is not too expensive and you will taste local food.
If you are greedy, you can go at the pasticceria Nanni Conca d'Oro, located via Banchi di Sopra. I recommand to go there, you will find italian pastries, and there very good.
During my journey in Italy, I just visited Siena one day, so, I haven't finished to visit all the city, but this city is one of my favorite of Italy. I found it very beautiful, the architecture was fabulous. for sure, I will come there one day.
Interesting fact for cyclist, Siena the point of depeature and arrival for the mystic ride, Strade Bianche.
Panzano
Panzano, a little charming village in Chianti located between Firenze and Siena. We visited just for a half day, but one day is enough for visiting this village and walking in the neigborhood. You will find a small church of Saint Mary
We ate in a restaurant, called II Vescovino in the terrace and the view above chianti was fabulous and the food was great.
Poggio Amorelli
Poggio Amorelli, a winnery situated in the heart of Chianti and where produces the formal branded "Chianti classico" wine. They produces a wine labeled with the Black Rooster, and I had the chance to taste the wine made with 100% San Giovanni grapes, and it was thick and rich fragrances. This wine is Chianti Classico Riserva.
They produces differents products, like the olives oil and the balsamic vinegar and I tasted the olives oil, which is under the acidity 0.5%, and their taste was very smooth.
