Tours around Florence for Wine Lovers

There’s no better way to unwind after a long day of exploring Florence’s staggering volume of renowned works of art than by ducking into an intimate enoteca, or wine bar.

Guest post by Julie Herd

The city is set amidst the Tuscan countryside which is internationally famous for its delectable wine production, and it’s hard to walk down Florence’s cobblestoned streets without passing the villas and palazzos owned by some of Italy’s most formidable wine-making families of yesteryear. Affordable flights from budget airlines like Easyjet have made this a more popular destination than ever, and it would be criminal to leave Florence without sampling the local wine.

An enoteca where you can taste the vino nobile in Montepulciano.

Tours within the City

The city of Florence has no shortage of wine tasting opportunities, whether you hoof it around town on your own or with a guide. The Tuscan Wine School offers express tastings that only take up an hour, for those who have little time on their Florence holidays but want to learn a little something about the famous tipple. They also provide a more in depth week-long session that fills each morning with Chianti and Montepulciano before you are turned loose to spend the afternoons as you please. High rollers can sign up for a Luxury Florence Wine Tour, which involves staying in a 500 year old villa previously owned by the Medici family. Guests receive their own private chauffeur and historic tour guide, along with visits to some of the finest restaurants in the city and samples of Tuscany’s most high-quality wine.

One of the biggest pleasures of wine is pairing it with food, and there are tours that specifically cater to this desire as well. One of these is the Florence Cheese and Wine Tasting which takes place in a rustic wine bar and allows guests to taste an array of Tuscan olive oil, cheese, and wine selections that perfectly complement one another. Cheese is accompanied by gourmet flavour enhancers fresh from the countryside including truffle honey and fresh local figs. Another option is the Wine and Chocolate Tasting, which involves a trip to a local chocolate producer to see how it’s made. Guests receive a chocolate sample tray including dark chocolate, hazelnut, and truffle flavours, as well as samples of wine to bring out the chocolate’s subtleties.

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Exploring the Surrounding Countryside

One of the best ways to learn about Tuscan wine is to get out into the stunning countryside where it is produced. The Chianti region is perhaps the most famous in Tuscany, and there are many day trips that you can take from Florence to sample Chianti wine. The Chianti Classico Tour is one day tour which not only promises a fine sampling of Chianti Classico, but also the amusing company of a wine producer nicknamed “the joker” and the most delicious ice cream in Europe. Tuscan Wine Tours is another company running day trips out of Florence into the countryside, promising visits to small, organic wineries. Those looking for a special Mother’s Day gift might want to surprise Mum with a Woman and Wine Tour, a special tour of Chianti just for women.

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Julie of Edinburgh-based flight comparison company, Skyscanner.net.