The streets of Tuscany ( courtesy Keith Levit )
si , toscana
By Sylvia Jansen , Sommelier ( ISG , CMS ), CSW
It can be hot in Tuscany during summer . Very hot . So hot that you can convince yourself that eating gelati once , twice , even three times a day is crucial to prevent heat stroke . So as we sat in the shade at the trattoria l ’ Oste di Borgo , inside the old walls of Colle di Val d ’ Elsa , even the fresh salads needed a finisher .
The quiet was broken by the footsteps of local business people in dark suits and silk ties , and of workers in overalls . They disappeared into a door and emerged eating gelati . When we entered a few moments later , twenty glistening mounds of Italian ice cream beckoned . We ordered our desserts and ate inside , the air conditioner bravely humming .
That hot afternoon was a treasure of Tuscany : a place where walls of old towns stand in testament to ancient struggles between medieval city-states . Anchored by
Siena , Florence and the sea , Tuscany has history that predates the Roman Empire ; a noble wine heritage ; castles and basilicas ; and inspiring cuisine . One could spend weeks in Tuscany and barely scratch the surface . But a few moments of being there is enough to fall in love .
Any good love affair includes a portion of both si e no : the contrast of yes and no . Si , ensure you leave time to relax in a small town and sample the espresso or gelati that locals love . No , do not shy from visiting famous sights , just because they are crowded . Si , live among
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