After a good nights sleep, we were ready for our first full
day in Castellina and to do a little recovering from out trip. While researching our trip with wine tasting
as a big part, my research found several listings for Tuscan Wine Regions but
the consensus seems to be Chianti, Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino,
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Bolgheri, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, and
Carmignano and one of my thoughts was to visit them all but I reduced it to
five or six. The Chianti, Chianti Classico,
Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano regions use Sangiovese
grapes, Bolgheri wines known as the Super Tuscans use international grapes more
typical for French Bordeaux’s, Vernaccia di San Gimignano is known for its dry
white wine made from the Vernaccia grape, and Carmignano wines are typically a
blend of Sangiovese and international grapes such as cabernet.
So, to begin this day, we went to the Squarcialupi Taverne
(located
in the hotel) for their buffet breakfast which seemed typical of Italian
breakfast and very different than American.
The restaurant is located on the main street of the old city which is
closed to vehicles and it lined with touristy businesses.