Alla scoperta della Lucchesia, tra ville antiche e vini DOC

Discovering the Lucchesia, the magnificent area in the province of Lucca dotted with splendid villas and famous for its DOC wines.

Thereit is the beautiful Lucca, we know, but there is also a wonderful territory around, the Lucca, which reaches up to the Garfagnana mountains, up to the Versilia, even if Valentina and I will limit ourselves to this weekend explore the beautiful villas which have characterised the area for centuries.

Villa Reale di Marlia nei dintorni di Lucca

The Royal Villa of Marlia

Here we are, then, on this bright Saturday morning in October, in the sumptuous Royal Villa of Marlia, intoxicated by splendid avenues of camellias, lakes and ponds, Italian, Spanish or lemon gardens. And then there appears over there a amazing greenery theatre, all vegetal and, in addition, a very noble Pan's Cave. And what about this? incredible sports center, Almost ante litteram, with swimming pool, bowling alley, tennis court, all in Art Nouveau style, where once people of the calibre of Dalì, Ungaretti, Moravia, or perhaps the Kennedys or the Dukes of Windsor came to have fun, all guests of the legendary Countess Mimì Pecci-Blunt who loved to surround herself, like a true patron, with beautiful world international.

But long before her, at the beginning of the nineteenth century, there had been none other than Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, sister of Napoleon and princess of Lucca, to purchase the property and transform it into the neoclassical style of the time, on the model of Malmaison, private residence of Napoleon and Josephine near Paris; in addition to having the English garden style park, so much so that it even gained the enthusiasm of Metternich. This villa, absolutely worth a visit, to be enjoyed, transmits unique sensations of a world that no longer exists but which would be wonderful if it still existed.

Villa Mansi and its dark legend

Valentina and I, full of enthusiasm for theinexhaustible Tuscan beauty, we manage to find the time to visit the famous Villa Mansi, which we did not want to miss in any way. It dates back to the 16th century and is one of the most significant examples of the culture and society of theancient Aristocratic Republic of Lucca.

Only at the end of the 18th century it was designed garden around, also later modified on the model of the 19th-century English-style parks. Thanks to her sober and elegant style, she was often chosen for host sovereigns and ambassadors coming from various European states. The furniture inside dates back to the Venetian eighteenth century, while the walls are decorated with numerous frescoes.

And at this point we must also remember the legend of Lucida Mansi – probably born in 1608 -, a very beautiful woman, lover of social life, of the sumptuous clothes, of the jewels, who could not bear the idea of old age to the point of selling his soul to the devil... But this is another story we have already told.

For further information: Lucida Mansi, the story of a devilish Tuscan beauty

Another magnificent example of Lucca's architecture is Villa Grabau in San Pancrazio.

Not far from the Royal Villa of MarliaValentina and I once again fill our eyes with wonder at Villa Grabau. Built in the sixteenth century on the ruins of a medieval village from the family of the powerful Lucchese merchants Diodati, in the following centuries it changed hands several times, changing its originals over time Gothic characters in Renaissance, up to the current neoclassical guise.

The nine-hectare park it's really between the most interesting in the Lucca area for its shape, richness and rarity of its plant species. There are various architectural gardens: the English garden, the Italian garden – with the majestic lemon house dating back to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries -, and here too the greenery theater, a graceful and elegant boxwood stage, now used for summer concerts and performances.

On the two central fountains, in the Italian garden, stand out two magnificent bronze masks in the shape of a satyr's head, dating back to the period of late Florentine Mannerism and attributed to Peter TaccaFrom the same period, the large grotesque stone statue depicting a turtle supporting a dragon.

The Montecarlo DOC

On Sunday morning, after a nice breakfast at the hotel, Valentina and I curiously head towards the Montecarlo DOC, in which enlightened winemakers, already at the end of the nineteenth century, integrated the vines traditionally grown with others of French origin, such as Sauvignon, Semillon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux, Roussanne and Syrah from the Rhone, while from Burgundy, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris, thus creating a harmonious blend between native wines and so-called improved grapes of French origin.

For further information: The DOCs of Lucca: a diverse territory that produces wines with a French influence

Due bicchieri di vini bianchi Montecarlo DOC

The Buonamico Estate

Our stop today is the excellent Buonamico EstateOur beautiful experience begins with an interesting estate tour among the vineyards located on the rolling hills that characterize the area. We then visit the cellar, thebarrel area, the sparkling wine making room, while we are provided with information and historical notes on the winery and the winemaking techniques used.

The tasting area

Our tour ends in thetasting area, where we delight in the wines of the Estate paired with a gastronomic selection of cured meats and cheeses. In particular, thanks to the Formula we have chosen – Special Reserve Wines – we taste four wines: first the Inedito Particolare Brut Rosé sparkling wine, from Sangiovese and Syrah grapes, made sparkling according to the Charmat method.

Then it is poured into our cup semi-aromatic MIO Viognier IGT ToscanaA pure Viognier, with an intense, floral aroma and fruity notes. Interesting citrus freshness, the lively minerality. The aftertaste is pleasantly bitter.

For further information: Wine Safari in Tuscany, a new, evocative trend

La linea di produzione di vini della Tenuta del Buonamico, in Lucchesia

Then it's the turn of the Vasario IGT Tuscany, pure Pinot Blanc. With a very intense, complex aroma, with floral hints, aging in French oak tonneau for eight months gives it a broad, well-structured, very balanced palate, with a soft finish and long-lasting.

Finally we taste the Supertuscan Cercatoja IGT Toscana, a blend of Sangiovese, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has an intense aroma with notes of dark fruit, flowers, and cocoa. On the palate, good structure, as well as remarkable are the elegance and depth. The tannic texture it is evident, but at the same time rounded, not excessive.

At the end of our beautiful experienceValentina and I leave the Lucca area with our eyes full of beauty and our mouths satisfied by excellent wines.

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