Blog

Buonconvento seen through my eyes

To get cultural and historic information about this medieval village in Val d’Arbia, on the borderline with the Crete Senesi, its sufficient to Google the word Buonconvento, and you get the info which you might need.
But the history of this village is not covered by the few pages available, at least not in the opinion of those, like myself, who were born here and have lived her until I was 20.

Seen for you by Bonella Ciacci

Some days ago I went to lunch at my parents, and after lunch I went for a walk along the main roads in the historic centre.

During my walk I realized that every wall, every door, every narrow lane tell me some of my history, which is unique and personal, but at the same time in entwined with the history of all of us buonconventini (or “bocconventini”, as we say).
The first part of my walk brings me to the “Cattivi Frati” bar, in via Soccini (just as a second thought I realize that the Soccini’s, or Socini’s, were my boss, Donatella Cinelli Colombini‘s ancestors).The bar belongs to a friend of mine Andrea, who has taken it over from his brothers. He has given it this name because of the local saying “Buon convento, cattivi frati”, sad epitaph of the inhabitants of the village, something they earned seven hundred years ago.

Awaiting Benvenuto Brunello 2012 and the new wines from Montalcino

During “Buy Tuscany” the previews of the great Tuscan red wines: Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Seen for you by Donatella Cinelli Colombini

Donatella Cinelli Colombini - introducing "Benvenuto Brunello 2012"

La series of events to present the new vintages of Brunello, Chianti Classico and Nobile is a marathon that lasts 9 days and that will involve journalists and operators from all over the world.
It begins Monday 20th in the great Chianti region, then moves to the fortress in Montepulciano, and the grand finale in Montalcino where 220 journalists are expected, half of which from abroad and 4000 buyers. The will taste the wines of 140 wineries.

There are millions of stars…. 5 those for country inns

Fattoria del Colle has “tre spighe” “three ears of wheat” . It might seem as though it’s a three star hotel but it in fact means that it belongs to the highest category of country inns in Tuscany.

Read for you by Donatella Cinelli Colombini

In this region in fact the tourisms structures in the countryside are rated one,

Fattoria del Colle - farmhouse in Southern Chianti

two and three wheat ears.

Having a different criteria of evaluation in each region is very confusing for tourists who must choose between 21.500 structures spread all over Italy, but also damages those who run these activities.

Luckily the new minister Mario Catania has decided to listen to the Osservatorio Nazionale dell’Agriturismo approving a national criteria for classification and putting the Osservatorio in the directors cabin for re-launching the entire sector. The country inns will also be able to reach 5 stars like hotels this way ending the useless confusion that was sometimes damaging.

The USA wine lover is won over through the heart

Getting a lesson from “Balzac” the producers of Brunello, Chianti Classico, Prosecco and Vino Nobile to face the largest and most competitive market in the world.

Seen for you by Donatella Cinelli Colombini – chronicle of the mission to New York

New York: the seminary is a spectacular place: Apella a building looking over the Hudson river where every

Apella - New York - Workshop regarding the American market with Balzac

architectural element and furnishing is by great architects

The seminary regarding the American market is held by the communication and events society Balzac, one of the best in USA where Paul the owner organized courses in the most prestigious university for wine lovers, Davis.

In the American market there are 100.000 types of wine on sale and of these 5.000 (of which 1.000 Italian wines) have obtains ratings above 90/100inl “Wine Spectator” . It is understandable that it is a crowded market where the importers have difficulty in selling the wines that they already have in their portfolio. This makes thing s difficult for those wishing to begin exporting.