Montecarlo - lucca grapevine

MONTECARLO, WINE COUNTRY SUMMER 2010
This supplement has been created with the support of
the Comune of Montecarlo, so that you may discover
all the beauties that surround you here, beginning
with Montecarlo's friendly people!
On July 3rd at 8 pm, Montecarlo's Misericordia di
Maria SS. Del Soccorso is sponsoring a community
feast at a 250-meter long table, bringing together 800
"Friends of Montecarlo". The event will take place
in via Roma (Montecarlo's centro storico) at a cost of
15 euros per person – children under six free – and
your participation will help the Misericordia to help
others.
The meal includes: Antipasto (prosciutto, salame,
mallegato, crostini al pomodoro e ai funghi, farro
freddo), Zuppa alla toscana, Arista con contorno di
verdure al forno (roast pork with baked vegetables),
Trippa, Cantucci & Vin Santo and of course
Montecarlo's finest red and white wines.
Telephone 0583-228844 for reservations.
painting by Roberto Pasquinelli
How to reach Montecarlo:
17 km east of historic Lucca, in the direction Val di
Nievole (Pescia), easily accessible by train
(Montecarlo-San Salvatore station, then less than 2
km by foot to the town center), even closer by car
(via Pesciatina or via Romana, between Gragnano,
Altopascio and Pescia). With only 4500 inhabitants
and 1560 hectares (15.5 sq km), little Montecarlo is
a delightful day trip from Lucca.
Montecarlo tourist information office, tel. 0583-22
8881, www.promontecarlo.it is open Tuesdays to
Sundays from 10.30 to 12.30 and from 15.30 to
18.30 in July and August. Here you will find a wealth
of information from helpful volunteers, who can also
arrange a visit to the historic Teatro dei Rassicurati
nearby.
photo by Geom. Giorgio Pieraccini
Summer in Montecarlo 2010 - GRAPEVINE Supplement
In Vino Veritas
Convinced that there is no more sane and simple way to live than the
Montecarlo way, you may now be ready to join us on a country tour.
Landscapes that have not been overly re-modelled (sometimes ruined in the
process) offer scope for the imagination, for self-expression and creativity. Just
look around and see what appeals to your taste: Montecarlo DOC reds or whites
(especially Trebbiano, Malvasia, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, San Giovese,
Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, Merlot, Pinot, Cabernet, Sirah and Roussanne) and
excellent golden olive oil (with an acidity level below 0.4% and an almondy
after-taste), for example.
Many Montecarlo events are centered on wine. In mid-May Via Vinaria offers
tastings of DOC and IGT wines with a Wine Bus for carefree visits to the Fattorie; Montecarlo in Festa honours the
Madonna del Soccorso on 8 September but for 10 days glories in the grape, local gastronomy and cultural and
musical entertainment; the Festival of New Wine and Oil takes place on the second weekend in November. Then of
course there is the summer Jazz and Wine Festival (see page 4).
With its surrounding vineyards and olive groves, Montecarlo has existed at least since 1000 AD. Its people moved
from a nearby site called Vivinaia (property of the Duchi della Tuscia) after suffering a disastrous attack by the
Florentines; soon thereafter, in 1333 Carlo IV of Boemia founded his "Montecarlo" by building the Fortress. Little
has changed, at least architecturally and agriculturally, since that time. Montecarlo wines were appreciated even in
the 16th century, by Pope Paul Farnese III and Gregory XII and many others. In 1999 the wine route became
"officially" identified; see www.stradavinoeoliolucca.it for more information and enjoy Montecarlo wines in Lucca
at Enoteca Calasto (piazza San Giovanni) and many other fine establishments.
Wine Routes of Montecarlo (from www.stradavinoeoliolucca.it):
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3
1
4
7
16
8
9
6
11 17
12
5
10
13
14
15
1. Fattoria Michi
2. Fattoria Il Poggio di Giancarlo Rossi
3. Fattoria Vigna del Greppo di Angiola Naldi
4. Fattoria di Montechiari di Moreno Panattoni
5. Azienda Agricola Stefanini
6. Azienda Agricola Enzo Carmignani di Elena
Carmignani 7. Vitivinicoltore G. Fuso Carmignani
8. Fattoria di Cercatoia Alta di Angelo Fornaciari
9. Fattoria La Torre
10. Fattoria Tori di Lucia Tori Ducci
11. Fattoria del Buonamico
12. Fattoria Belvedere di Alfiero Fantozzi
13. Azienda Agricola Bozzoli di Giovanni Bozzoli
14. Fattoria del Teso 15. Tenute di Badia di Romolo Romani
16. Azienda Agricola Anna Maria Selmi
17. Azienda Agricola Lo Sgretoli di Angela Diletti
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Summer in Montecarlo 2010 - GRAPEVINE Supplement
Put Yourself into the Slow Living Mode
By foot, on horseback, by bicycle – new trails:
The new itineraries for exploring Montecarlo are indicated with coloured signposts
and cover 15 kilometers, in sections of roughly 5 kilometers, mostly over cobblestones or packed earth. The beauty and peace of nature can be discovered freely while
wandering through vineyards, olive groves, parks and forests. In July, guided tours
for groups of at least 5 people will be offered on Saturdays at 3.30 pm, beginning at
Piazza d'Armi. Reserve by calling the Proloco at 0583-228881.
The first trail, Via Cassia (signposted in yellow), is named for Carlo Cassola and the second
(which will be inaugurated in 2011), signposted in orange, for
Emperor Carlo IV. This initiative by the Proloco, the Office of
Tourism, Mayor Vittorio Fantozzi and many others informs visitors in both Italian and English of the itineraries, flora and
fauna, and cultural and historical features to be found along the
way. Here are just a few:
th
Vivinaia, a hamlet near the villa of the Marchesi of Tuscany, dates back to the 10 century and was documented in
1038. Vivinaia was destroyed on 25 February 1331 by the Florentine army retreating from the siege of Lucca; in the
next two years the villagers moved to the new village of Montecarlo (where Carlo IV built the fort called Cerruglio).
The giant oak tree at San Martino in Colle, more than 14 meters high and 500 years old, with wide branches bending to
the ground, features in legends about witches and full moon
mischief, but also in Pinocchio;
it is said that Collodi (Carlo
Lorenzini) was inspired by this
tree to create the episode of
Pinocchio's hanging from an oak
tree.
At Turchetto, Via Vinaria (the
wine route beginning at
Vivinaia) joins Via Francigena,
the medieval pilgrims’ route to
the Holy Land.
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Summer in Montecarlo 2010 - GRAPEVINE Supplement
Jazz and Wine
For three Sunday evenings beginning at 9.30 pm, Piazza
Carrara will rock to the rhythm of jazz and the spirit of
Bacchus. The events are coordinated by Circolo Lucca
Jazz under the artistic direction of Patrizia Landi and for
the wines, sommeliers from FISAR and AIS.
18 July – “Klaus Lessmann Quartet” – clarinet, sax, piano, bass, drums
25 July – “Klaus Bellavitis Trio” – violin, bass, piano, voice
8 August – “Antonello Vannucchi Quartet” – sax, piano, double bass,
drums
K. Lessmann Quartet
Vannucchi Quartet
Want more jazz and wine? Montecarlo's La Piccola Enoteca, via
Roma, 26 (tel. 0583-229327), offers live music on Thursdays –
8, 15, 22 and 29 July – guitar, violin, voice, piano and sax....
Imbibe, enjoy....
The Festival of San Salvatore, on
Friday-Saturday-Sunday 6-7-8 August celebrates the patron saint in Piazza Bertini, San
Salvatore with music, cabaret, cinema and cultural meetings.
On Tuesday August 10th, “Calici di Stelle” (Chalices of Stars) brings music and starwatching for the Night of San Lorenzo. Gaze at San Lorenzo's tears falling from the sky
while enjoying a glass of good wine.
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Summer in Montecarlo 2010 - GRAPEVINE Supplement
Theatre and Cinema
beneath the Stars
FITA, the Lucca Federation of Italian
Amateur Theatre, offers a series of
amusing live productions, again animating Piazza Carrara with shows beginning at 9.30 pm:
Sunday 4 July – “Le Baruffe Chiozzotte” –
a comedy inspired by Goldoni
Saturday 17 July – “Effetto Lussemburgo” –
music, dancing, theatre
Friday 23 July – “Vegliarini” by showman Gavorchio (photo) –
stories, anecdotes, rhymes in vernacular
Saturday 31 July – “La Ballata del Gran Macabro” –
a tragicomic carnavalesque celebration
Saturday 7 August – “Rumors” –
an anniversary party inspired by Neil Simon
Friday 13 August – “Vegliarini” by showman Gavorchio
Saturday 21 August – “La Bellissima Dama” –
the legend of Lucida Mansi with puppets and storytellers
And here are the films to enjoy – same place, same hour:
Saturday 24 July – “Io e Marilyn” –
Pieraccioni's film about the legendary blonde
Saturday 14 August – “Invictus” – Mandela and soccer
Sunday 22 August –
“Io, Loro e Lara” –
a comedy about a
missionary in Africa
having a spiritual crisis
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Summer in Montecarlo 2010 - GRAPEVINE Supplement
For the Young and Young at Heart
Ferragosto, 15 August, 9.30 pm is the date for
street entertainment in Piazza Carrara, with
“Il Castello Incantato” – clowns, jugglers,
magicians for young and old.
“Carnevale” - painting
by Margherita Biondi
August 1st to 6th, a special
musical and cultural exchange
organized in French, English and
Italian will take place, “Maestri e
Bambini” from L'Autre Ecole di Piano 'Scherzando' from Paris
– with these concerts:
Sunday 1 August 9 pm in Piazza Carrara, “Musette” featuring
Marini, Bartok, Piazzola
Monday 2August 7 pm in Teatro dei Rassicurati, “Ninna Nanna”
featuring Bizet, Schumann, Chopin, Villa Lobos, Gershwin
Friday 6 August 6.30 pm in Teatro dei Rassicurati, Closing
concert with both i Maestri and young children.
Sports For All Ages
“Pedalata di mezz'estate”
On Sunday 25 July, 6 pm, a mountain bike tour will be organized by the non-profit association
“Gocce di Vita” with the sponsorship of the Montecarlo District Council, leaving Pescia at
Agenzia Albaluna via Galeotti, following the Vecchia Via Cassia through the Montecarlo hills,
with arrival in Piazza Carrara, where sommeliers of the FISAR and the AIS will host an apertivo
with tasting of Montecarlo DOC wines. For information call 0572-490951 – 444638
“7th Alberto Tintori Trophy”
On Saturday August 28, 5 pm, a walking competition through the Montecarlo hills organized by the Misericordia of Montecarlo and two blood donor associations. “51st Remo Puntoni Cup”
On Sunday August 29, 10 am, a cycling competition for Juniors organized by the Marco Giovannetti Bicycle Club.
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Summer in Montecarlo 2010 - GRAPEVINE Supplement
Art On Display
Margherita Biondi,
“Visioni Colorate” –
Teatro dei Rassicurati,
via Carmignani, 14
Roberto Pasquinelli
(see page 8), “L'Anima del Colore” –
19 June to 19 September, 9 pm to midnight weekdays, 6 pm to midnight holidays, at Palazzo Chiriconi via Roma, 19 – www.robertopasquinelli.it
Franco Puccini, “Immagini Ceramiche e Oltre” – via Roma, 4 – wine and vine themes. July and August.
Tel. 349-3747690
At Ex-Chiesa Misericordia, via Cerruglio, 11-24 August, 6 to 8 pm and 9 to 11 pm, closed Mondays:
· Antonio Timpanaro – hand-made copper creations
· Alberto Betti – antique art objects on display
·
PROGETTO MONTECARLO: projects for historic Montecarlo by University of Pisa architecture
students, in collaboration with Valencia (Spain) Polytechnic University. Coordinated by Prof. Paolo
Riani. 28 June to 7 July. Information at 0584-388657, [email protected]
Fortezza di Montecarlo
Open for visits Saturdays and Sundays from 4
to 7.30 pm, also weekdays by appointment (tel.
0583-22401, www.fortezzadimontecarlo.it)
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Summer in Montecarlo 2010 - GRAPEVINE Supplement
www.tje-properties.com
- a referral and interpretation service to help you
realize your dream of settling into Tuscany
sai kidò
sushi and sashimi
with typical hot Japanese dishes
“Butterfly Nights”, early dinners (6.30-8.00)
so you can attend the opera “Madame Butterfly”
at Torre del Lago (www.festivalpuccini.it)
– 17/25 July, 1/14/22 August.
management by Sushi Train
viale Puccini, 947 – S. Anna, Lucca
tel. 0583-316379
closed Mondays
also take-away:
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