DiVine Tales

Tuscany has a winemaking tradition that goes back to the Etruscan period, keeping this region at the top of enology and winemaking. The rolling hillsides of Tuscany provide an ideal setting for grapevines and the growth of important grape varieties. The indisputable "king" of this region is certainly the autochthonous Sangiovese varietal with which Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino are made. This varietal is not so easy to cultivate because of its medium-late maturation and its need for ideal sun exposure, microclimate and altitude. (more…)

In the year of the 750th anniversary of the birth of Dante Alighieri, who is forever remembered as a great poet, with his Divine Comedy and for deeply intriguing the genius Galileo, leading him to hold two memorable lessons on the geography and structure of Dante's Inferno at the Ancient Florentine Academy founded by the Medici family in 1462 from which emerged the relevant scaling laws and the first study of material properties. (more…)

The municipality of San Giovanni d'Asso can be defined as the natural border between the Valdichiana and the Maremma areas. Located in the southern part of the province of Siena, about 15 minutes from Montalcino, it is characterized by urban settlements and architectural works of art, which perfectly blend into the natural surrounding environment of prominent farm homes and Romanesque churches surrounded by uninterrupted rows of Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino vineyards. (more…)

Bagno Vignoni - Bagni di San Filippo - San Casciano dei Bagni - Terme di Petriolo Bagno Vignoni is a small hamlet part of the municipality of San Quirico d'Orcia, in the province of Siena, less than 20 km from Montalcino. The villiage is in the heart of Tuscany, in the Natural Park of Val d'Orcia and is one of the most famous spas in the area. These natural hot springs, which attract many people, have been used since the time of the Romans for thermal purposes, thanks to its proximity to Via Francigena, which was the main artery for the pilgrimage to Rome. (more…)

Henry Vll (Valenciennes 1275 Buonconvento, August 24, 1313) was the son of Count Henry VI of Luxembourg and Beatrice of Avesnes. He was raised in the French court and was connected to it because of cultural and political bonds. In 1292, he married Margaret of Brabant with whom he had three children. He was elected King of Germany in 1308, in spite of opposition by the King of France, Phillip the Fair, who hoped to crown his own brother Charles of Valois. Henry Vll, commonly known as Arrigo (more…)

The gardens depicted in Botticelli's paintings, especially the one accurately depicted in the painting thus named by Vasari "Allegoria di Primavera", painted in tempera on wood (203x314 cm) and datable to about 1482, seem to have an important symbolic meaning. The 9 characters represented in the picture would seem to be in fact, in the "Giardino delle Esperidi". In this legendary garden grew a tree with golden apples, a gift from "Gea" for the wedding of "Zeus" with "Hera", and was guarded by the three nymphs "Esperidi" considered therefore the guardians of magical objects. (more…)

Sandro Botticelli was one of the greatest painters of the Italian Renaissance. Born in Florence in March of 1445 in the area of Via del Porcellana and died in Florence in 1510. He trained in the workshop of Filippo Lippi with whom he worked in Prato in the frescoes of the main chapel of the Duomo. When Filippo Lippi moved to Spoleto the Botticelli frequented the shops of Antonio del Pollaiolo and of Andrea del Verrocchio. (more…)

Rosso di Montalcino is a D.O.C red wine produced in south eastern Tuscany only from grapes produced within the administrative territory of the Municipality of Montalcino in the Province of Siena. The production area extends over 243.62 km2 and is bordered by the Ombrone, Asso and Orcia Rivers. (more…)

Brunello di Montalcino is a DOCG red wine produced in south eastern Tuscany only from grapes produced within the administrative territory of the Municipality of Montalcino in the Province of Siena. The production area extends over 243.62 km2 and is bordered by the Ombrone, Asso and Orcia Rivers. (more…)