REGIJA / REGION

Toskana se smjestila u  središnjoj Italiji, poznata je po bogatoj povijesti, tradiciji, umjetnosti i prekrasnom krajoliku. U regiji se nalaze poznati gradovi poput Firence, Pise, Ferrere i Siene. Regija se sastoji od pokrajina Arezzo, Grosseto, Livorno, Lucca, Massa-Carrara, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato, Siena i Firenca koja je ujedno i glavni grad regije.

Ono što obilježava krajolik Toskane su prekrasni brežuljci, vinogradi, planine, čempresi, lavande i masline. Toskana je poznata po brojnim dvorcima, palačama, parkovima, vrtovima od kojih su savršeni primjer renesansni vrt Boboli rađen za obitelj Medici.

Firenca i Pisa nose nadimak „gradovi umjetnosti“, dok neki Firencu nazivaju koljevkom renesanse. U Toskani su djelovali umjetnici poput Da Vincia, Michelangela i Botticellia koji su ostavili neizbrisiv trag na području kulture i umjetnosti.

Toskana je jedna od najstarijih i najpoznatijih vinorodnih regija Italije čija tradicija seže još u doba Rimskog carstva. Osim što očarava ljepotom bogatog krajolika, planina, šuma, brda i parkova, najveći pogled plijeni svojim prekrasnim vinskim podrumima i vinogradima. Najpoznatija vina Toskane su Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino i Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

Chianti vina su najslavnija vina Toskane. To su suha vina te variraju od lakšeg do punog tijela. Proizvode se od sorte Sangiovese uz mali dodatak Caniola, Trebbiana Toscano i Malvasia del Chianti dok se posljednje dvije sorte ne koriste više od 2005. godine. Vina imaju poseban voćni karakter te mirisom podsjećaju na ljubičice i trešnje, a okusom na višnje.

Brunello di Montalcino je jako cijenjeno crno vino iz grada Montalcina. Rađeno je od sorte Sangiovese. Brunello je vino moćnog tijela, duboke boje i izraženih tanina. Vino ima odličan potencijal starenja.

Više od 80% proizvodnje u Toskani čine crna vina, po kojima je postala slavna, a glavna sorta je Sangiovese. Sorta vinove loze Sangiovese je jedna od najcjenjenijih i najrasprostranjenijih kultivara Italije, a najbolje uspjeva u Toskani. Toskana je slavu stekla upravo zahvaljujući ovoj sorti, iako je sortiment izuzetno širok (na primjer, Cabernet sauvignon je zasađen u Toskani prije više od 250 godina, ali je tek nedavno postao popularan). Od bijelih sorti najčešća je Trebbiano, a slijede Malvasia, Vermentino i Vernaccia.

Toskana je osim po kulturi i enologiji poznata i po gastronomiji. Neke od najpoznatijih su maslinovo ulje, sladoled (gellato), sirevi riccota, pecorino, ovčji sirevi različite starosti, sušene rajčice te vrganji i tartufi. Toskanska kuhinja poznata je po korištenju sviježih namirnica koje se izvrsno sljubljuju s umacima i crnim vinom.

Tuscany is located in central Italy, known for its rich history, tradition, art and beautiful scenery. There are famous cities in the region such as Florence, Pisa, Ferrera and Siena. The region consists of the provinces of Arezzo, Grosseto, Livorno, Lucca, Massa-Carrara, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato, Siena and Florence, which is also the capital of the region. What characterizes the landscape of Tuscany are the beautiful hills, vineyards, mountains, cypresses, lavender and olive trees. Tuscany is known for its many castles, palaces, parks, gardens, a perfect example of which is the Renaissance Boboli Garden made for the Medici family. Florence and Pisa are nicknamed “cities of art”, while some call Florence the cradle of the Renaissance. Artists such as Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli worked in Tuscany, leaving an indelible mark in the field of culture and art. Tuscany is one of the oldest and most famous wine-growing regions of Italy, whose tradition dates back to the Roman Empire. In addition to enchanting with the beauty of the rich landscape, mountains, forests, hills and parks, the greatest view captivates with its beautiful wine cellars and vineyards. The most famous wines of Tuscany are Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Chianti wines are the most famous wines of Tuscany. These are dry wines and range from lighter to full-bodied. They are produced from the Sangiovese variety with a small addition of Caniola, Trebbiana Toscano and Malvasia del Chianti, while the last two varieties have not been used since 2005. The wines have a special fruity character and the aroma is reminiscent of violets and cherries, and the taste of cherries. Brunello di Montalcino is a highly prized red wine from the city of Montalcino. It was made from the Sangiovese variety. Brunello is a wine with a powerful body, deep color and pronounced tannins. Wine has excellent aging potential. More than 80% of the production in Tuscany is made up of red wines, for which it became famous, and the main variety is Sangiovese. The Sangiovese grape variety is one of the most prized and widespread cultivars in Italy, and thrives best in Tuscany. Tuscany gained fame precisely thanks to this variety, although the assortment is extremely wide (for example, Cabernet sauvignon was planted in Tuscany more than 250 years ago, but it has only recently become popular). Of the white varieties, Trebbiano is the most common, followed by Malvasia, Vermentino and Vernaccia. Apart from culture and oenology, Tuscany is also known for its gastronomy. Some of the most famous are olive oil, ice cream (gellato), riccota cheeses, pecorino, sheep cheeses of different ages, dried tomatoes and porcini mushrooms and truffles. Tuscan cuisine is known for its use of fresh ingredients that go well with sauces and red wine.