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Now we escape from the thousands of lights that are starting to illuminate the
chaotic and traffic-ridden streets of the city to immerse ourselves in the beautiful
hills of Chianti Classico country. This is where our Christmas itinerary unwinds,
in one of the loveliest areas of Tuscany.
In every house, farm and castle
adorning the splendid hills of this renowned wine-growing area Christmas is solemnly
celebrated, combining the religious and gastronomic traditions of a past that
is still very much with us.
Wine, of course, plays a leading role in the festivities.
Amongst all Tuscan products, wine definitely has the most ancient origins, and
it has always symbolized the culture of this land. A Christmas table in Tuscany
would be unthinkable without Vin Santo, for example, a speciality you can taste
in the magnificent Fattoria Pile e
Lamole Vin Santo winery (by appointment only, tel. 0577-738186). Then there
is Chianti Classico, a wine which gives the best of itself on ageing, as you can
readily appreciate if you try the special vintages in the cellars of the magnificent
eighteenth century Villa Vistarenni (tel. 0577-738186).
Now, all that remains
is to toast the upcoming festivities, wishing you an untroubled Christmas and
a happy new year. The origins of Christmas
The Christmas festivities arose out of a cross-blend of Christian traditions with
the customs of the country folk. Indeed, in ancient Rome, they used to....
Christmas fare
The first dinner, served on
Christmas Eve, had to be rigorously meatless. Then there was a "crescendo" culminating
in the New Year's Eve Banquet. Barnyard animals
These form the "pièce de resistance" of Christmas and New Year's Eve dinners
in Italy. Traditional sweetmeats
Panforte,
castagnaccio, cantucci, brigidini, cavallucci, ricciarelli,
cupate: the Tuscan gastronomic tradition offers an abundance of sweetmeats.
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