Tuscan Wine Harvest

We are approaching the most celebrated season of the year here in Tuscany- the much anticipated Vendemmia, or grape harvest. The annual vintage traditionally begins in late September or early October and draws the participation of most every Tuscan from the physical harvest itself to the endless array of festivals, feasts and local wine celebrations. The grape harvest is the most crucial part of the winemaking process and is begun in accordance with the the ripeness of the grape itself measured by its sugar, acid and tannin levels.

Chianti, the Tuscan area that produces Chianti Classico wine for centuries and is recognized as the best wine growing region internationally, remains Tuscany’s most prided territory. One can sense the ancient traditions and history that fills the Chianti region. First civilized by the Etruscans who were very active in the wine harvest, followed by the Romans, the control of the rich Chianti region has historically been battled for between the cities of Florence and Siena. Today, the region’s eternal chestnut and oak forests are blanketed with olive groves and vines, contributing to the global economic importance and influence of the zone. The impressive number of Chianti wineries draw the attention of tourists around the world who come to witness its breathtaking beauty.

The most well known and historical harvest festival in Italy is The Chianti Grape Harvest Festival in Impruneta, a tiny village found between Florence and the Chianti region, and is held each year on the last Sunday of September. The festival features wine-tasting, offering nearly 800 wines, artisan food-sampling, music and dancing- plus, many locals are dressed in medieval and traditional costumes.
Other significant Chianti grape festivals include Vino al Vino Wine Festival in Panzano, held each year on the third weekend in September in the Chianti village’s main square. In October, the Chianti town of Poggibonsi hosts a traditional Pigio, a grape-pressing contest competed between the seven districts of town- stepping back in time to the traditional methods of wine-making.


The number of tiny villages and towns that host grape festivals (Sagra dell'uva or Festa dell'uva) throughout the months of September and October are numerous and are the perfect way to familiarize yourself with the ancient practices and the locals’ passion for the season’s harvest.
Beyond just celebrating the taste value of Chianti’s wines, there is a large movement savoring the aesthetic benefits as well. Wine therapy, also referred as vinotherapy or vinoterapia in Italian, has received much attention in Tuscany. When applied topically, studies have proven immense benefits. The powerful antioxidant, Resveratrol, found in high concentrations in grape seeds, stems and skins is easily absorbed by the human skin and evidently functions as a method to fortify the skin reducing inflammation and the slowing the skin’s tendency to age prematurely. The substances found in the acids of the wine grape are known to strengthen microcirculation, increasing the resistance of the blood cells and stopping the destruction of the hyaluronic acid with that of the glycolic acid which serve to protect the skin’s elastic and collagen fibers.

The production of Tuscan wine therapy products is growing as an industry and products are based upon the enrichment of red wine powder, red grape seed extract, crushed grape seeds and pure grape seed oil. The past couple years the products have been developed dominantly include powders, masks, soaps, creams extracts and cosmetics.

The benefits of wine therapy were already recognized by Cleopatra and the Romans who apparently kept records of their practices. Records reveal that Cleopatra loved being massaged in the wine must.

Today, Tuscany is the home of the wine therapy movement, offering innumerable vinotherapy hotels, spas and vacation packages to those tourists and non who are interested in the ancient yet effective indulgance.
Tuscany’s wine harvest culture is truly sensational and enchanting. The ancient culture is still preserved by the locals and the passion is just as strong as one could have imagined it was during the country’s historical times.

GALILEO: IMAGES OF THE UNIVERSE FROM ANTIQUITY TO THE TELESCOPE

GALILEO: IMAGES OF THE UNIVERSE FROM ANTIQUITY TO THE TELESCOPE
Curated by Paolo Galluzzi

Florence, Palazzo Strozzi 13 March-30 August 2009

Paying homage to the brilliance of Galileo’s discoveries dating exactly 400 years ago, Florence’s Palazzo Strozzi has dedicated an impressive exhibit to the extraordinary works and influence of the scientist titled, “Galileo: Images of the Universe from Antiquity to the Telescope.” Honoring Galileo’s contribution to our current conception of the universe, the United Nations marks this fourth centenary by declaring 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy.

The exhibition, curated by Paolo Galluzzi, director of the Institute and Museum of the History of Science in Florence, guides us through a fascinating journey through the cosmological ideas from antiquity to the Scientific Revolution. Beginning with the mystical and poetic versions of ancient Egypt and Mesoptamia, we are led through the Greek cosmogonies, passing onwards through the vital contribution of astronomy and Arab lands to the final arrival of the revolutionary heliocentric theories of Copernicus- the fundamental inspiration for Galileo and Kepler, the scholars who together with Newton, made a decisive contribution to the definitive affirmation of the final concept of the universe.

Additionally, the exhibition interestingly explores the relationship between astronomy and astrology and the cultural and artistic effects of our creation and fascination with the imaginative configuration of the stars.

The use of scientific instruments and multimedia dramatically enhances the history and the discovery of the archaeological finds, celestial atlases, paintings (including spectacular frescoes from Pompeii never shown before), sculptures, precious manuscripts and cosmological models. Galileo’s telescope is also upon display.


Information: +39 055 2645155

Exhibition hours: Daily 9 a.m - 8 p.m, Thursday 9 a.m - 11 p.m

Tickets: Full € 10,00 / Reduced € 8,50 € 8,00 € 7,50 / Schools € 4,00

Bookings: prenotazioni@cscsigma.it

Luxury Apartment for rent in Chianti Region

Luxury Apartment Rental in Chianti:
Price: 615 euros per 7 day weekly rental- Sleeps 4

Further information regarding the luxury apartment can be reached via: http://www.tuscanyrentdirect.com/index.php/villas/detail/9/mela.html

Contact Information:
N.Barnewitz@casaintoscana.com
Tel. +39 0577 742960

Also on Craigslist:
http://florence.it.craigslist.it/sub/1303452930.html

The Tuscan Sun Festival, 3-9 August 2009

The annual Tuscan Sun Festival, now in course for its 7th year, is celebrated by those who share a passion for fine arts, music, film, culinary arts, wine-making and wellness- all encircled within the rich Tuscan history of the concert’s surroundings. The festival is held in Cortona, a medieval town found in the province of Arezzo, in central Tuscany, and is managed by IMG Arts, the distinguished arts management firm.

The concert lasts for 6 days, from Aug 3-9th, and each day is filled with an extensive program composed of a myriad of events to take part in including art exhibitions, wine tastings, literary and culinary lectures and musical concerts.

The most anticipated events of the festival are the evening concerts performed in the 420 seat Roman theatre, Teatro Signorelli, led by some of the world’s leading artists.

The festival’s special guest for this year is Anthony Hopkins, whose featured musical compositions and art exhibit entitled Masques, will be on display. Additional featured artists of this year’s festival include Joshua Bell, Stéphane Denève, Nina Kotova, Danielle de Niese, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Maija Kovalevska, Vlad Mirita, Jaap van Zweden, Michael Guttman and Gisele Ben-Dor.

In harmony with The Tuscan Sun festival’s ideals, the Napa Valley in California gave birth in 2006 to the Festival del Sole Napa Valley, registered as a non-profit charity. The festival features music, gourmet food, famous chefs, winemakers and art, among countless other aspects that contribute to its uniqueness.

Following Napa’s creation of it’s Sun Festivalfestival, Signapore became home to the Singapore Sun Festival in 2007, lasting 11 days and featuring over 250 ininternational and regional artists in nearly 100 events. Highlighted events include film screenings and yoga and tai-chi sessions led by experts.

The spirit of the Tuscan Sun Festival is truly inspiring and celebratory. Information about the festival can be obtained via http://www.tuscansunfestival.com/.

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