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 […]
THE 2019 HARVEST
On the 16th of September 2019, Vignamaggio began picking grapes, with 30 people at work on 52 hectares of vines. A day spent in the vineyards during harvest time is quite special: there is chatter to be heard in a variety of languages, a few lively Tuscan expressions filter through the branches, and at precisely […]
ANCIENT ‘VERNA’ WHEAT Cristina & Elisa Conversation among Chefs
The anticipation, while dough rises, the velvety sensation of flour running through fingers or the fragrance of freshly baked bread, are images that warm the heart and stimulate the appetite. Flour is the main ingredient in many of our recipes, forms part of our daily lives as well as our past, and evokes familiar memories […]
THE DIVINING ONION AND A DIVINE RECIPE
Did you know that … In ancient times the onion played a vital role in divining the fate of marriageable girls? To decide between various suitors, a girl would cut the initials of each beau into a different onion, then place the bulbs on a chopping board and wait… the girl would choose the man […]
TRIBUTE TO IRIS
The name of this plant comes from the goddess Iris, who, according to Greek mythology, carried messages for the gods. Her golden wings were said to sparkle with dew which, lit up by the sun’s rays, glistened with all the colours of the rainbow. She was, moreover, the favourite of Juno, Queen of the Gods, […]
TAGLIATELLE WITH FRESH TOMATO AND BASIL
TAGLIATELLE WITH FRESH TOMATO AND BASIL | Tagliatelle or fettuccine are typically central and northern Italian varieties of egg pasta. Their names are derived from the verbs “tagliare”(to cut) and “affettare” (to slice) respectively. | WHAT WE NEED Dough 500g flour 00 5 eggs Salt Sauce 500g Pachino tomatoes 6 leaves of basil 30g […]