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Chianti Wine Tour

This is the Castello di Poppiano and is actually inhabited by the Count and Countess.

Here is one picture (of many that don't appear in this blog) of some of the wine storage devices. Cori and I have seen many wineries now and they all pretty much look the same.

This particular Count was known not only for his wines, but in particular his extra virgin olive oil. He would press the olives at a lower temperature -- getting a lot less oil from them -- but the quality and taste is exceptional. A very popular table snack with meals was bread wine balsamic vinegar / olive oil which you drizzle over the bread. It fast became a favorite snack of ours.

Here is a view of the Tuscan country side from the top of the castle. You can see some smoke in the background - I believe that the grounds crew were burning old wine vines.

Here is the happy couple squinting into the sun for this picture.

Okay, say what you want about the bike helmet, but here I am getting geared up for our bike trek. Although there was a stop in the middle for lunch, the whole trip was 23 km and featured a BRUTAL hill climb at the end of it.

One scene from the roadside: a scotch broom plant. Although they are actually a weed, they do have some uses -- they can be used to make actual brooms! I don't know if this was a b.s. story or not, but when you get up close you at least imagine the plant being in the tail-end of a witches broom.

posted by Team Shawn Michaels @ 10:49 a.m.