Slept pretty well, but it seems the best sleep starts about 2:30. Until 6 or so. I did get some significant GYE work done which was great.
Montalcino Morning Walk
Then at about 8:30 I took a break and went for another Montalcino Morning walk. Gorgeous. I wanted to see if I could locate what appeared to be the two lower quartieres, Travaglio and Pianello. Had already had found Ruga and Borghetto.
In Travaglio
View from lower Travaglio
View from lower Travaglio
In Travaglio
In Travaglio
View from the hospital in Pianello
Pianello
Up to Taverna Il Grappolo Blu
Piazza del Popolo
This was open yesterday. Open only twice a week for the fresh fish.
Late Morning Walk with Christine
We got to breakfast about 10:15 and then worked with Michele on our tasting possibilties for the day. He had one booked for 1:30 and he was trying to set up another. I asked for small, producers close by and the first one he booked was with a place called Solara at 1:30 and then while we were out walking Michele said he would try and set us up with a second one. We gave him our phone number and asked him to text us if he found anything out. He did and he had also book Fornacina at 2:30-3. We walked down in Travaglio and then over to the hospital in Pianello and then up to the big church in Ruga then through Ruga to San Savatore and into La Fortezza.
Brunello gelato. Don't ask beyond that.
Afternoon Wine Tour: Solara and Fornacina
At about 1:20 we headed out to find Solara and its owner Patrizia
We found very little signage so we drove down to the barn area and met an older gentleman who offered to call her. About then we found Silvio and Patrizia's 15 year old daughter who between them pieced together enough English to give us a tour. We meet Patrizia back at the tasting room and bought two bottle of 2008 Rosso at 10 Euro each and one 2004 Brunello at 28 I think. Apparently she is doing it all as there was no sign of a husband participating in the business.
Fornacina
Our appointment was between 2:30 and 3, but our time at Solara went really fast as the English was so limited. Not much time for chatting.
Yanni overlooking the vineyards
We had a wonderful afternoon of conversation with Yanni, the owner's wife.
Dinner Number Three at Il Giglio and a Visit to Mario's Cantina and Anna's Kitchen
We thought about pizza and then decided what we really wanted was another fabulous meal at Il Giglio so we got an eight o'clock reservation and spent toe rest of the afternoon just relaxing and reading.
Down in the dining room it was another American fest. The couple fom Kentucky and a family with three girls from Atlanta.
Jim, I don't expect that Michele would remember us, unless you mention the power table aficionados :))) but have you asked to see their wine cellar? It's down the street and underground...very super cool... see you tomorrow brother...
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