Northwest Wine Fan
Recent Adventures
Northwest Wine Fan Tasting Panel members head to Italy (again!)
to celebrate Randy's 50th birthday!
We hope you enjoy the photos...
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Off to Italy!
Tasting panel members and friends converged on Tuscany and points beyond to celebrate
Randy's 50th birthday!
The Dome of Brunelleschi in Florence
The bridges of Florence (Ponte Vecchio in forefront)
The Forum in Rome
Meanwhile back at the Villa!
Lance and Randy came up with this lovely villa, the Borgo al Cerro in the heart of Tuscany near Sienna for the group.
Rich and Randy with a fine bottle of Calavados
Randy learns how to take digital ballerina photos...ooh!
The brothers Randy and Lance in Italy
Randy and Chip share a birthday moment
Molly and Dustin explore the streets of Rome
Lisa and Lance at the Spanish Steps in Rome
Dustin, Molly, Lisa, Peggy and Randy at a fountain in Frascati
Peggy with camera in hand while in Florence
Dustin, Molly, Chip, Kevin, Wendy and Peggy in Sienna
Randy and Peggy get ready for a night out in Rome
A Visit To Rocca delle Macie
One of the many outings the group went on was to Rocca delle Macie in the Chianti Classico region.

Founded in 1973, Rocca delle Macie started with just 5 acres of planted vines. They now have six estates with over 500 acres in production. They make several wines including a Chianti Classico, Chianti Reserva and several other DOGC and IGT wines. They also make Vin Santo, Grappa and an olive oil.

A good time was had by all and Chip even brought back some Vin Santo. Imagine Chip liking dessert wines!
Wendy and Kevin inside the barrel room
Inside the tasting room
Inside the VIP Tasting room at Rocca delle Macie
The rooster denotes the Black Cockerel, the sign of Chianti Classico
Your romantic journey on the water awaits you in Venice
The whole group made it to Rocca delle Macie including Rich (left) and his kids Chad and Tiffany (far right)
Chianti is an Italian wine producing region between Florence and Sienna in central Tuscany. The best wine comes from Chianti Classico in the central part of the area.

A black cock on the neck brand of a bottle of Chianti guarantees a premier wine made in a tradition dating back centuries.

The 'gallo nero' or black cockerel is the trademark of the Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico and appears on the neck label of members wines. The gallo nero isn't on every Chianti, only those from the premier central region.
Specific regulations apply to the Chianti Classico appellation to differentiate it from the Chianti.

Most notably is the different minimum percentage of Sangiovese (the main grape of the Chianti region). In Chianti they must use at least 75% Sangiovese while in Chianti Classico that amount rises to 80% minimum.

Additionally, in Chianti Classico there are very specific rules that must be followed as to production, storage, specific color, aroma and flavor the wine must meet.
An evening of friends, food and wine
The group villa "Borgo al Cerro" in Tuscany
Lance and Lisa at the bell on top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa
A spiral staircase in the town of Frascati, a province of Rome
Parting Shots
To our friend...Happy Birthday Randy!
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