Gourmet products local specialties and wines Toscane

An essential stopover for wine lovers, and especially for those who appreciate the local craft tradition. Here, visits to the farm are made by reservation and with the family. There is nothing better than to dive into the heart of the history of the local vineyard. The agritourism also offers four country houses and seven apartments for rent in the surrounding area. The main house dates back to 1873, still run by the same family. Some of the farm's wines even still ferment in the old cellars.

Not to be missed for lovers of fresh pasta. A very small place as we like them, located in the passage between Piazza delle Vettovaglie and Via Domenico Cavalca. Genuine handmade pasta, ready to eat or to cook at home, different shapes and flavors, sauces, creams... Authenticity, but also creativity! The curious strawberry ravioli, for example, are a must-try for the most intrepid.

With such a name (criollo is the noblest variety of cocoa), you can imagine that here it is a matter of taste! And of chocolate! This bar-pastry-chocolate shop, located next to the historic center and therefore away from tourism, makes modern sweet creations that are popular with the locals. You will hear Italian spoken there, which is not necessarily the case a few meters away. On the terrace, you can sip a good coffee accompanied by a slice of Santa Fina, one of the house specialties, with saffron (produced in San Gimignano) and lemon. Yummy!

A small family-run estate specialising in the cultivation of vineyards, olive groves and saffron. Remaining faithful to the tradition of the terroir and its family, even today, it remains a reference for its products, all certified with the organic label. Its high quality wines are made from ancient native grape varieties such as Vernaccia de San Gimignano, Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo. To discover its flavour and richness, the owners organise wine and extra-virgin olive oil tastings, accompanied by cheese and charcuterie.

A stone's throw from the cathedral, a gelateria that attracts with its neat décor and large windows, and even better, by the smell of the dough of the cones cooking, which is prepared as the ice cream leaves. Yummy! Everything here is homemade. The flavours of artisanal ice creams vary according to the season and the ingredients available; be aware that fior di latte is their specialty. The house also offers pancakes, bagels, piadine, coffee, smoothies and other sweets. It's hard to make a choice if you like sweet as well as salty!

In this pretty little grocery store, you'll find pasta, olive oil, liqueurs, but above all the famous panforte senesethe town's specialty, with almonds and honey!

On the road between Cortona and Montepulciano, in the small town of Centoia, Il Chianino, run by the charming Ivana, is a convenient bar and grocery store. You'll find everything you need, from groceries to household products. There's also a wide selection of typical local products from local businesses.

Another property of the illustrious Falorni family, this huge wine shop, located in the basement, offers no less than 150 different labels. And tasting is perfectly regulated. All you have to do is buy a card and insert it into a machine that will itself serve the dose(s) of the desired wine(s). Very modern, but hello the seller-customer relationship.... It is not here that the visitor will get the best advice. On the other hand, with such a mass of bottles, the prices are quite correct.

The Arrighi wine farm presents a varied collection of wines, according to different elaborations, the strong point of this small family business. Some of them are based on ancient methods, such as the conservation of wine in terracotta amphoras. A reminder of the origins, some of them 2,500 years old, such as the immersion of grapes in baskets in sea water, offering a natural end product that is unique on the international market: Nesos wine. Also to be discovered: its olive oil, walks through the vineyards and tastings.

This "bottega" smells like tradition. Just look at the locals waiting their turn when they discuss their next pasta recipes! Because here, Angelica prepares the "pasta fresca" every morning: pici, ravioli, cavatelli, tagliatelle... If cooking a sauce is not your specialty, it's a good thing, you'll have a choice of colors and flavors: pesto, arrabbiata, ragù... Don't forget to ask for the cooking time for "al dente" pasta, of course!

At the corner of one of the streets that access Piazza del Campo, this bar-gelateria has a balcony overlooking the square with three small tables, a very sought-after location. Once seated, all you have to do is contemplate this incredible open-air theatre. This advantage has been exploited by the owners by focusing on the quality and diversity of their products, such as artisanal ice creams. It is also the ideal place to enjoy an aperitif on the terrace, accompanied by small appetizers.

Below Castellina, this agricultural estate with its remarkable panorama produces organic wine and olive oil. The 13 hectares of Sangiovese and 4,200 olive trees are processed in the simplest way in the world. San Donatino was the property of Léo Ferré, and today his son Mathieu, a winegrower, protects the poet's memory with humility. He prefers to talk about his wine! To play the wine tourism card, guest rooms and apartments have been created in this idyllic setting.