ChangeMe 
Grape Picker
Posts: 8
 | | 08-16-2005 07:27 PM |
| It was a wonderful experience driving through the country and finally reaching the town. First, I visited Ucceliera, where I had an appointment. When I arrived, no one was in sight. I got out of my car to look around and some german shepards started running and barking at me, so I hopped in the car and split. I went to the town, and had a wonderful pasta with porcini mushroom dish and a restaurant called Blue Sole, Blue Luna, or Blue Gatto(I think??). Then I went to Altesino, which was way off the beaten path. Oh boy, was it worth it! The property was beautiful. The guide was very knowledgable, and the wine was DELICIOUS. I tasted, Vino rosso, bianco, brunello, brunello riserva, sant' antimo and one other dessert wine. I have never been to any wineries before, so this was one great experience. I personally didnt like the rest of Italy though. I go to Greece every summer, and will continue to go, probably forever. If I do choose to go back to Italy, the ONLY place that I will go is to the Tuscan countryside, and to Montalcino. | | |
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ChangeMe
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1371
| | 08-16-2005 07:46 PM |
| Let me guess, it was Grappolo Blu? MLV and I ate there as have other posters. Altesino is lovely.
Next time in Montalcino, be sure to eat at Re di Maccia. | | | |
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ChangeMe
Grape Picker
Posts: 8
| | 08-16-2005 08:13 PM |
| was it down a few steps to the left? the bruschetta was so simple, but it was the best I will ever eat in my life!! | | | |
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ChangeMe
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1371
| | 08-16-2005 08:25 PM |
| That is it. | | | |
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Mona_Lisa_Vito
Grape Sorter
Posts: 228
| | 08-16-2005 08:41 PM |
| Quote:
was it down a few steps to the left?
or, from where we were staying - up a billion steps to the right! | | | |
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Pool Boy
Laurl, MD (DC suburb)
Master of Wine
Posts: 13802
| | 08-16-2005 09:21 PM |
| Quote:
Let me guess, it was Grappolo Blu? MLV and I ate there as have other posters. Altesino is lovely.
Next time in Montalcino, be sure to eat at Re di Maccia.
I wonder if that is the name of the same place Mrs. TJ and I went to. We had a great lunch there. I'll have to remember to ask her.  | | | www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com | |
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ChangeMe
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1371
| | 08-16-2005 09:45 PM |
| It is a favorite of many. I know Emilio from the WS Boards actually went twice during his stay because he enjoyed it so much. I can't recall if Fut or MWagner also recommended it. We enjoyed it, but it wasn't in Re Di Macchia's league. | | | |
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Winetex
Austin, Texas
Master of Wine
Posts: 11437
| | 08-16-2005 10:18 PM |
| Thanks for the notes. We will be there next month so it's great to have some recommendations. | | | |
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ChangeMe
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1371
| | 08-16-2005 11:01 PM |
| There are lots of threads with suggestions on things to do. Florence/Tuscany Travel Log This was from our last trip. | | | |
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ChangeMe
Grape Picker
Posts: 13
| | 08-17-2005 03:56 PM |
| Just curious, what was it about the rest of Italy that you did not like? I've been over twice and I've thoroughly enjoyed myself both times. Food/wine was always great and I always found the Italians to be very nice people. Your review of Montalcino makes me want to go so bad since thats one place I have not made it yet. | | | |
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Landshark
Wine Labeler
Posts: 3727
| | 08-17-2005 10:27 PM |
| Quote:
Just curious, what was it about the rest of Italy that you did not like? I've been over twice and I've thoroughly enjoyed myself both times. Food/wine was always great and I always found the Italians to be very nice people.
same question I love italy, what didn't you like? | | | |
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ChangeMe
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1371
| | 08-17-2005 10:31 PM |
| MLV and I had the same question as well. Maybe the summer crowds? That was all I could think of. | | | |
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Pool Boy
Laurl, MD (DC suburb)
Master of Wine
Posts: 13802
| | 08-18-2005 02:07 AM |
| Quote:
Quote:
Just curious, what was it about the rest of Italy that you did not like? I've been over twice and I've thoroughly enjoyed myself both times. Food/wine was always great and I always found the Italians to be very nice people.
same question I love italy, what didn't you like?
dito, what gives? It was one of the best places I have ever experienced. | | | www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com | |
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futronic
Toronto, Canada
Wine Bottler
Posts: 3214
| | 08-19-2005 12:54 PM |
| Quote:
It is a favorite of many. I know Emilio from the WS Boards actually went twice during his stay because he enjoyed it so much. I can't recall if Fut or MWagner also recommended it. We enjoyed it, but it wasn't in Re Di Macchia's league.
Having never dined at Il Greppolo Blu, if I recommended it, I was passing on other people's suggestions. I'm pretty sure I did recommend Re di Macchia, however, since the food was excellent. Anyone that I've suggested it to have had similar experiences.
When my Dad was back in Montalcino this spring, he went to both Il Greppolo Blu and Re di Macchia, and he said the latter blew the former away - it wasn't even close.
Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy Italy, Anton. It's a lovely place (although I am a bit biased, considering my family is from there), but I've come across almost entirely friendly and warm people in both large and small cities.
I look forward to my next trip there - hopefully in the spring of 2006. | | | |
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ChangeMe
Grape Picker
Posts: 8
| | 08-21-2005 11:39 PM |
| I found the people, particularly in Florence, to be quite snooty. Everything was extremely expensive. Especially the brunello in Montalcino!! I go to Greece every summer, and we go out every night until at least 3-5 in the morning. Im not talking about clubs. I mean cafes, nice restaurants, wine bars, and tavernas. When Im on vacation, I want to have a good time. In Italy, even in the heat of tourist season, every establishment started packing up at 11:00. I guess its an excellent lifestyle for them, but plain and simple, Italy isnt fun. It was beautiful, and I ate wonderful food. The wine was excellent anywhere, even though a couple of places had some fizzy homemade wine. | | | |
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Landshark
Wine Labeler
Posts: 3727
| | 08-22-2005 11:50 PM |
| Did you go anywhere else other than Florence and Montalcino, Tuscany may go to sleep early but Rome certainly does not. | | | |
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