17The wide variety of plum trees we chose to plant 5 years ago means we have fresh plums all summer long, from June to September. These various types of “prunus domestica” ripen at different times of the summer, some produce more fruit than others and they differ noticeably in flavour and colour. In June we […]
IN THE SHADE OF PETASITES
Today we went out with Francesca, manager of the Vignamaggio gardens, to explore the coolest part of the estate, in search of the petasites or butterbur, a perennial plant of the Asteracaea family. It is easy to come across these enormous herbaceous plants alongside Greve’s tributaries. They can be spotted by their huge hat-like leaves […]
THE GOLDEN EARS
Wheat is the symbol of Summer abundance. Watching the golden ears of wheat moving in the wind, soaked in sunshine, is a special and exciting moment, especially for those like us, who love pasta. Vignamaggio decided to use indigenous and ancient grains like the hard grain Senatore Cappelli and soft grain Verna varieties that have […]
HOW TO MAKE YOUR MEDITERRANEAN SPRING WREATH
Today, our gardener Giovanni taught us how to make a Mediterranean wreath using predominantly bay leaves and Spanish broom flowers. This shrub, known as Ginestra odorosa in Italian, is indigenous and grows spontaneously all around the Mediterranean basin. You will recognise it by its sweet, heady fragrance and small yellow flowers. WHAT WE NEED We […]
ELDERFLOWERS
The elderberry bush, or sambuco as it is called in Italy, is an indigenous plant that grows spontaneously all over the country, but it is not very well known. Elderflower syrup is used mostly in central and northern European countries, while in Italy, sambuco is more commonly associated with the distinctive anise flavour of Sambuco […]
SEARCHING FOR HOPS
Hops can be found all over Europe, usually in cooler areas and in fertile soil close to water. While it is most famous for its flower, that gives beer its mildly bitter taste, in many regions of Italy it is valued for its spring shoots. WHERE CAN WE FIND THEM? On the banks of rivers […]
OUR ARTICHOKES
Artichokes fields are one of the most distinguishing characteristics of the Chianti landscape: on terraced land, flanking roads and on the crest of drystone walls, these magnificent verdant plants with their large silver-tinged green leaves, can be seen everywhere in spring. A true delicacy, in Tuscany the artichoke is eaten preserved in oil, as a […]
IN SEARCH OF NETTLES
Nasty fiends for children running around in short socks, but stinging nettles have an unexpected side to them. They are delicious, and the main ingredient in many springtime recipes. WHERE TO FIND THEM? Beside hedges In damp areas close to dwellings In fields close to water WHEN TO PICK THEM? Don’t forget to put on […]
LA PENSIONE DI VIGNAMAGGIO
The Villa Sangiovese hotel, in the heart of Panzano, has welcomed the new year in with some big news. Firstly, a name change, La Pensione. The classic, traditional Italian hotel’s name – quite the contrary: this Pensione is irreverent and colourful, like the cocktails that await you at its opening planned for April. In fact, […]
FLORENCE WITHIN THE WALLS
All of Casolese’s rooms are decorated in a fresh and understated style, but they all have an element that sets them apart; illustrations by the artist Simone Boni that confer on each room its own unique character. The artist has faithfully transposed a map of Florence onto designer wall-coverings, and we have selected representations of […]