Les 2 Raisins: A fantastic day in Chianti

The day started early as we were moving from Florence and going to the Chianti region. We needed to leave the apartment, walk to the car rental agency, get the car, make our way through Florence, drive to Greve in Chianti while stopping in Badia in Passignano and Montefiorale and meeting Filippo at the Cantine de Greve, the biggest retail wine store in Chianti, at 11:00 AM.

We met Filippo, the owner, just after 11:00 AM. Filippo proved to be a most charming host, providing guidance, comments and history on each wine we tasted, their producer and the winery. We had free access to all tasting dispensers and chose some 15-20 wines from the over 80 wines available for tasting. While tastings all these wines, Filippo provided plates of local charcuteries and cheeses. No use telling you that after almost 2 hours of tasting, we were all a bit tipsy!

While we waited for Filippo to complete his day of work, we visited Greve and it`s piazza. It was a day of market in Greve and we looked at all the products from the local artisan. Some of us did more than look!

We came back to the Cantine around 2:30PM where Filippo was waiting for us with yet another glass of wine: a very good vin santo that we enjoyed with a biscoti.

We then t ravelled through the Tuscan countryside at lighting speed, trying to follow Filippo to Poggio Borgoni where we were meeting Paolo Salvini, his son Francesco and daughter Eleonora. They are producers of Chianti Classico, owners of a small relais (9 rooms) and a restaurant.

We arrived a few minutes after 3:00PM. We were met by Francesco who showed us theRelais and the surroundings. Very beautiful with lots of flowers, especially lavender in full bloom! What a perfume. We then proceeded to the cellar where the wine is aged. A small cellar with large
cement tank and some french barriques. Paolo joined us at that point with dauther Eleonora. We chatted about how they produce their wines. Paolo and his daughter then took us in the vineyards, where we immediately connected talking about food and wine and the joys of life. TheVines are planted on terrasses in a semi-cercle exposed directly to the sun all day. 80 % of the vines are Sangiovese and 20% is merlot. Thoses two grapes go into to the production of their 3 wines: an IGT, a Chianti Classico and a Chianti Classico Riserva.

We came back to the relais to taste the wines and enjoy a lovely Tuscan feast the chef had prepared. We started with the IGT which I found very good! Then the chianti Classico with an enchanting nose and a very wonderful taste. The 3rd wine was the Riserva which was very rich and complexe. All were 2010 and all were very, very good. We were very excited. I think we have found a real Gem.

We finalized our negotiations in the office while André and Marie-France enjoyed the Terrasse and the beautiful views under the Tuscan sun!

Were are very please to announce the addition of Poggio Borgoni to Les 2 Raisins family. Upon our return to Canada, we will order the IGT and the Chianti Classico.

A few pictures of our exciting day: