Here's a guide to my favorite wine bars, trattorias, and special eating places along La Strada del Vino. Look for my decal in the window. And tell them Divina Cucina sent you!

Greve in Chianti is a wonderful place to visit at almost any time of the year, but especially during the spring and autumn. These are many sagre (festivals) taking place in Greve and in nearby Montefioralle. Don't miss Greve! Market Day: Saturday morning Macelleria Falorni Piazza Matteotti, 69 Tel: 055-853-029 This is the place to stop and get your picnic supplies -- everything's pre-sliced and vacuum-packed, ready to go! They have prosciutto, salami, and even small bite-size wild boar salamis. If you have a house during your stay in Chianti, try the chicken, veal, beef, or pork, all sliced to order. Grab a basket and fill it up! They also have cheese and wine! They offer the Cinta Senese, a small pig with a white stripe that resembles a belt, made into salamis and prosciuttos. The pigs are raised in the woods and feed on acorns and chestnuts, hence the expensive price. Nerbone di Greve Piazza Matteotti, 22 Greve in Chianti Tel: 055-853-3-08 Closed Tuesday Summer Hours 12:30-22:00 non stop Carlo Sensi opened Nerbone in Greve two years ago after working with the owners of Vecchia Bettola for twelve years and also spending two years in New York City. Here you can taste all the fabulous recipes that have made Nerbone in Florence and the Vecchia Bettola famous. Service can be slow during busy hours, but just sit back and enjoy your wine and people-watching. This is one of the few places where you can eat at any time of the afternoon and have an early dinner. One of my husband's favorite places. Taverna del Guerrino Castello di Montefioralle Via Montefioralle, 39 Tel: 055-853-106 Open Thursday- Sunday Winter Open Tuesday evening & Sunday Summer Web site From Florence heading towards Greve, there is a right turn by the park following up the hill (Yes, it is a two-way street!). You will arrive at the Castle of Montefioralle, the tiniest medieval hill town I've ever seen! Follow the one road in the castle around to the left and on the left you will see a tiny door open; this is the trattoria. The Niccolai family welcomes you. Mom's in the kitchen, Dad's helping her, and their son is waiting tables. The menu is very simple and classic Tuscan. We usually start with salami, fettunta (Tuscan bruschetta), and black olives, followed by a pasta and their fabulous grilled meats! The restaurant is a converted house and the kitchen is the traditional kitchen with fireplace for grilling the meats. In the summer they move the dining room to a terrace overlooking the vineyards. The best complement one can give in Italy is to say it's just like mom used to make! If you don't have an Italian mom, you will at Taverna del Guerrino. Le Cantine di Greve in Chianti Piazza delle Cantine, 2 Greve in Chianti Open 10am-7pm (summer hours) Web site In the old Chianti wine cooperative, the Bencista brothers, owners of the Falorni butcher shop in the piazza in Greve, have opened a fabulous shop for wine tasting. Buy a card and taste as much as you like! There are tables to sit and sip, sinks to rinse the glasses, and small snacks to buy. Wines include Chianti, Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva, super Super Tuscans, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino di Scansano, and more. Spread your tastings out over several days if you are in the area for a while. They also offer wine tasting classes! Click on the city below that you plan to visit and I'll recommend the best places to stop for a bite to eat on La Strada del Vino. Strada in Chianti Greve Lamole Panzano Castellina Radda Gaiole San Casciano Certaldo Poggibonsi San Gimignano Monteriggioni Castelnuovo Berardenga Siena