27 km — 27oC and sunny — We met 11 pilgrims on their way to Rome.
(By Laurel)
Honestly, what would YOU do? … write the daily blog or join in on a Tuscan wine-tasting class?? Well, it seemed like a no-brainer to me … and, yes, the wines were delicious! We were on our way from the grocery store to our accommodation in San Gimignano, intending to eat supper and write today’s blog, when we happened by a wine class that was about to start. The blog would wait! Jim had just enough time to run our food to the fridge, and get back before Andrea, the sommelier, uncorked the first bottle. Tuscany is, of course, famous for its red wines such as Chianti, Brunello, Super Tuscans, etc. but it turns out that they also produce one designated white wine, called Vernaccia. San Gimignano is the centre of the Vernaccia vineyards and wineries, so the class put the spotlight on these. Andrea passionately led us through four different local producers and vintages, each tastily paired with a bread, cheese, or cured meat. Along with the other class participants, who happened to be a couple from Toronto, we left feeling more knowledgeable as well as a bit tipsy.
So, that was how our day concluded. The morning had started out bright and early. According to our guidebook, this stage is 31 kms, or a variant route of “only” 27 kms! And, to top it off, both routes end with a steep up-hill climb! What?! I was not willing to take on either of those itineraries, so we came up with our own — we would walk to the town of Colle di Val d’Elsa (two-thirds of the way) and then catch a bus from there to San Gimignano. This worked out very well. We left one quaint medieval hill-top village in the early morning (Monteriggioni) and arrived at another around noon (San Gimignano). Both places are picturesque and full of tourists (mostly German right now, it seems). Monteriggioni is unique as a completely enclosed walled village with no buildings outside its walls, while San Gimignano is famed for its fifteen stone towers which had been built by prosperous residents hundreds of years ago. At one time, there were 72 towers — it must have looked like the Manhattan of its era.
Heading off from Monteriggioni at sunrise
Great picture, you two!
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