Red, Red Wine

On Monday after classes we went up to the Frescobaldi Mansions for a wine tour. We stopped at two different places the first where they make white and sweet wine and the second place where predominately red wine is made. We got to see the mansions, vineyards and where they actually let the wine age and ferment. It was one of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen. It was really interesting to see how they make the wine there. I couldn't believe how long of a process it is! It takes four years for wine to ferment. Then the wine professor here took us into the basement of one of the houses and showed us all the wine given to the Frescobaldi children. If you are female you receive 100 bottles of wine that was made from the year you were born. If you are male you receive 500 from that year. I think that is pretty unfair!

We saw two plants that Prince Charles planted and all the pictures of the amazing people who have been to their estate. There were pictures of the Clintons, the royal family, Catherine Zeta Jones, etc. It was amazing!

Next, we headed out onto the terrace for the best part of the trip, the tasting! We tried a white glass first and then two different types of red. The third red was by far my favorite. We had cheese and bread with homemade olive oil. I don't know how people go to all these wine tastings. After a few glasses alot of us were pretty buzzed but that only made for a fun bus ride home.

That night we had dinner at our directors home. It was so nice! Their flat is huge and amazing and the altuna provides a beautiful view of the rooftops of Firenze. It was especially nice because the group I was with was very small and didn't consist of people we usually hang out with. We stayed there for awhile and watched the first half of the Italy/Paraguay match then headed home. However, as we walked through Santo Spirito there was a huge projection screen playing the game. Everyone was out in front of Pop Cafe watching. There was this tiny car with two guys DJing in it. The energy and excitement was amazing! There is honestly nothing better than watching the World Cup in Italy!

We only have one more day of classes this week then we're off to Rome! Time is going too fast, it really needs to slow down!