Today dawned and my first thought selfishly was that we are now entering the third week of our trip. Can we somehow slow this whole thing called 'time' down?
Today Cathy and David, Donna and David decided to drive north to near Firenza to hit the famous designer outlet mall. Not exactly being in need of nor in the financial bracket to buy anything by Prada, Dior, etc., Jim and I (much to Jim's relief) decided to head out to Montepulciano.
Our drive took us around hairpin bends, olive groves, neatly tended vineyards on terraced hillsides and, of course, the always in a hurry to pass you, Fiats (only Italian car that comes to mind at this moment!). Our drive was really Tuscany at it's best - the loveliest scenery we have seen thus far and so evocative of that traditional image of Tuscany with its rolling vineyards punctuated by lines of cypress trees leading to grand villas. We slowed down to watch the beginnings of a harvest at one of the vineyards - what an operation! This is when you wish you could jump out of the car and ask if you can help or even just observe. Perhaps we should have!
Beautiful Montepulciano sits atop a narrow ridge of volcanic rock - quite an imposing site as you approach. It is another hill town guaranteed to push your quads to the breaking point. It is a 25 minute hike from the bottom of town to the main piazza. Groan! However, the views over the Valdichiana countryside make all of the exercise worthwhile or at least I keep telling myself that!?!?
Our main draw was the town's wonderful wine, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano , and a chance to tour the cellars of Contucci Palace where they actually welcome tourists. After tasting
several wines in the Contucci Cantina, Jim and I ventured forth into their cellars. The
cellars are actually 13th C vaults in the palace basement. A maze of interconnecting dimly lit vaults filled with huge Croatian, French, and Italian oak barrels of wine......you could get lost in your wanders. Jim said , "What a way to go!" Each barrel is identified with a brass number and then labeled. "Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2010" - wow! Can't wait! Of course, we made some purchases.
We did some wandering around, concentrated mostly around Piazza Grande and then headed to a little trattoria, balcony hanging off the edge of a cliff, for a light lunch.
I have been searching for a pasta bowl set to add to my mishmash of Italian pottery already at
home. Most definitely not match-matchy with my Italian stuff! Jim was the first to spot the shop. "I think we need to go in here." And there it was - just what I have been looking for. A colorful design on lemons and sunflowers.....how I will remember Tuscany. The purchase was
made; thank heavens they can ship to Canada.
And so it was back to the villa. Cath and Dave, Donna and David returned to announce that even though discounts are supposed to be up to 70 percent at the outlet, prices were outlandishly high. Over $300 just for a t-shirt. No purchases were made.
I think that tomorrow will be a day of hiking around the villa and laundry!!! How exciting can you get?
Arriverderci.
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