Nothing is better than tasting a good wine in the place where it’s made. You get a whole new level of understanding of the process and poetry—and you’re usually on vacation, relaxed enough to truly appreciate and enjoy what’s in the glass.
If that sounds like what you need, I prescribe a bottle of Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino 2010, a delightful, garnet-colored red. You can sip it while lounging in front of the pool at Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, since the Tuscan wine estate is also a deluxe resort on a picture-perfect 800-year-old property.
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts recently took over the management of the Tuscan estate, reopening the grounds (which, by the way, boast sweeping views of the scenic Val D’Orcia) on March 26. The hotel comes complete with fields of sweet-smelling lavender, a spa, and an 18-hole golf course, something of a rarity for Tuscany.
With just 23 suites and 10 villas, you know you’ll be getting special attention from the staff (if you want it). The Campo del Drago restaurant has been revamped to feature Tuscan classics like buffalo mozzarella and scampi, and tortellini stuffed with pecorino cheese fondue and cured Cinta Senese bacon. Intimate cooking classes, qi gong sessions, and new children’s programming, such as yoga and outdoor astronomy lessons, have also been added.
If that doesn't move you, you can be sure it’s fashionable, too: The resort was founded by Massimo Ferragamo, the chairman of leather fashion brand Ferragamo USA, and his wife Chiara.
As for the wine, Brunello di Montalcino is unofficially the king of Tuscan vino. This is Chianti’s rich uncle, you could say, a long-lived and complex red wine type with a regal air about it. The 2010 Castliglion del Bosco is on the lighter side, actually, which is a blessing if you want to drink it anytime soon (often you really have to age Brunellos before they’re ready).
It has lovely dark cherry, spice, and cedar notes, and the tannins are super soft.
Pool boy?! I’ll have another glass, per favore.
Ted Loos is Travel + Leisure’s Wine & Spirits Contributor. Follow him on Twitter at @LoosLips.
