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 […]
RECIPE: THE LEMON TART
As you know, we love citrus fruits at Vignamaggio and so our chef Cristina decided to make us an exquisite lemon tart. Lemon tart is light, with a refreshing flavor perfect for springtime. The shortcrust dough for the sablé pastry case is skillfully worked to achieve its light and flaky consistency. WHAT YOU WILL NEED […]
AN ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS TREE
Christmas is around the corner, and as usual, we called upon Cristiano and Gilles to design our Christmas tree. They came up with a unique Christmas tree inspired by nature, made from material easily found while strolling around Vignamaggio. You can make this tree too, from what you find as you explore the fields and […]
A CHRISTMAS GIFT: CANTUCCI
The warm aroma of butter, sugar and almonds make winter and the Christmas season even more wonderful. Moreover, gifting some homemade biscuits is a simple gesture that can evoke forgotten memories and flavours. Cantucci, or Cantuccini are traditional Tuscan biscuits, usually served with Vinsanto. Originally from Prato, they were first made without the almonds that […]