Top Tuscany Wine Tasting Tours - page 43

Tuscany typically falls at the top of most oenophiles' bucket lists. Recent visitors have particularly enjoyed the following Tuscany wine tours:

• Small-Group Wine Tasting Experience in the Tuscan Countryside
• Chianti Safari: Tuscan Villas with vineyards, Cheese, Wine & Lunch from Florence
• Florence Sunset Walking Tour with Wine & Food Tasting
• Small-Group Brunello di Montalcino Wine-Tasting Trip from Siena
• Chianti Wineries Tour with Tuscan Lunch and San Gimignano

Yes. It can be hard to research the best wineries and figure out how to get to them from Florence, but Tuscany wine tours take away all the guesswork and logistics hassles, leaving you to simply relax and enjoy some of the best wines in the world. Your tour will include transportation, a guide, tastings, and even lunch.

Wine tastings might cost as little as US$10, but full-day tours with a small group will run about US$200 per person. These typically last nine hours and involve transportation to several wineries, including multiple tastings and a delicious Tuscan meal.

Think “casual elegance” for your Tuscany wine tour attire. It’s always a good idea to wear or pack an extra layer, such as a light sweater, jacket, or scarf—this can also come in handy if your sightseeing includes visiting any churches or cathedrals with dress codes (typically, no shorts or tank tops). Wear comfortable shoes for walking in a vineyard or on uneven cobblestones, and wear sunscreen.

Your tour will give you a specific meeting point. Many Tuscany wine tours leave from downtown Florence, but others are available in different cities in the region, such as Siena or Lucca.

This wine region is all about the lush, bold reds. Super Tuscan wines are blends of grapes like sangiovese and international varietals such as cabernet sauvignon and syrah to create complex tasting notes. Locally, you will also find the beloved chianti classico and Brunello di Montalcino. White wine lovers should sip the local vernaccia.

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in Tuscany aside from wine-tasting tours. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Cooking Classes

• Private Drivers

• Horseback Riding

• Vespa Rentals

• Day Trips

Tuscany wine-tasting tour prices vary depending on duration and inclusions. If you’re looking for high-quality experiences on the lower end of the price range, these are the best tours to book now: 

• Wine Tasting by CarusVini in San Casciano in val di Pesa

• Wine Tasting in Maremma with Priority Access

• Wine Tasting in the Historical Cantalici Winery

• Winery Tour and Wine Tasting of Organic Chianti Wines and Extra Virgin Oil

• Private Tasting of Organic Wines in the Cellar in Arezzo

First, make sure you have a way to get to your tour—some wine tastings are held in easy-to-reach cities like Florence and Siena, while others take place at countryside vineyards and may not always include transportation. Also, consider which wines you’d like to try when choosing your tasting location, from the Sangiovese varietals of Chianti to the bold red wines of Montalcino and Montepulciano. Tuscany wine tours range from 2-hour tastings at a family winery to full-day tours with lunch, city visits, and Vespa riding, so you should be able to find an experience that suits your budget and interests.

Since wine-tasting tours spend a fair amount of time outdoors, the best tip is to dress for the weather, wearing layers in the colder months, sun protection in the warmer months, and comfortable shoes for exploring the vineyards no matter the season. If you’re on a full-day wine tour that includes free time for lunch or a city visit, be sure to use your guide as a resource for recommendations of things to do at your destination.

The best time to book a Tuscany wine-tasting tour is September–October. Not only will you bypass the summer crowds and enjoy daytime temperatures from 60°F-80°F, but you may also see the annual grape harvest. Autumn is when Tuscany’s winemakers pick their vines for the year’s batch of wines, making the season particularly interesting for oenophiles.