We are up before the sun. I get the fire going, which is something you won’t see me doing in Dubai.
“Keep a little fire burning; however small, however hidden.”
Cormac McCarthy
We spend some time lying in bed listening to the fire as the cool air comes in the window. It sounds like a romance novel, but it is real.
Last night before bed we agreed to a morning walk. It is easy to walk in the cold weather through the steep hills of Toscana. Motivation is not really required.
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.”
John Muir
We get back and shower for breakfast. Its cloudy, but breakfast is in the atrium and the room is beautiful. Shell orders Chia pudding and an omelette, I order local cheeses and an omelette. I also order a glass of fresh milk from the farm. It is ice cold, unpasteurised and unhomogenised and it tastes like my childhood.
“Memory is the diary we all carry about with us.”
Oscar Wilde
As we eat breakfast we make plans to visit some of the small villages through Chianti and maybe find a winery for a tasting. A surprise call from Shell’s sister, Leanda and her partner Matt, is a nice diversion. It is great to chat with them.
“You two drink too much. Your livers will not thank you in 10 years.”
Leanda Griffin
We head to Panzano and take a walk around. Italy has a habit of having something interesting in every village. An ancient church, a piazza full of history, take your pick.
As we head to Greve we see the sign for Lamole di Lamole. Essential Chianti Classico and the first Chianti we tried, in Kuala Lumpur of all places. There is sentimental value here and the visit was pretty special. Like Bibi Graetz, rather than crowd out this post with the details, I will make a separate post about the Lamole di Lamole tasting here.
“Memories are killing. So you must not think of certain things, of those that are dear to you, or rather you must think of them, for if you don’t there is the danger of finding them, in your mind, little by little.”
Samuel Beckett
The drive, however, is worth mentioning. Lamole is the smallest of the nine communes of Chianti Classico and also the highest elevation. The drive to Lamole is stunning. You can never capture the true beauty of a sweeping view with a camera, but these will have to do.
After a few hours at Lamole di Lamole we head to Greve. Another picturesque village. Home to one of the most impressive butchers I have ever encountered. Hams by the dozens hanging from the ceilings, salumi of all types.
“The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”
George Orwell
We head back to Le Pappe, light the fire and run a bath. We open the two bottles of Bibi Graetz and lay about for the next few hours talking about wine, Tuscany and just how lucky we are.
We head down for dinner and I am exhausted. No photos.
The fire is out when we get home but I manage to get it going.
Bed.
Tonight’s wines –
2021 Bibi Graetz Testamatta (Chianti, Italy)
2020 Bibi Graetz Soffocone di Vincigliata (Chianti, Italy)
Tasting notes here
Post note – Soffocone translates to ‘deepthroat’ in English.