May 4 – 5: PREVIEW OF WINES FROM THE TUSCAN COAST (Anteprima Vini della Costa Toscana 2019). Real Collegio, Lucca. Open 11:30 am – 8:30 pm. Admission: €25 (includes wine tastings); €20 for those 65 and over.
Those wanting to experience a true taste of Tuscany will have an exclusive opportunity this weekend to sample and discover the best of wines from last year’s grape harvest before they are released to the market. In its 18th edition, this year’s Preview of Wines in Lucca will feature over 800 labels from over 100 of the most prestigious wine producers along the Tuscan coast, from provinces of Grosseto, Livorno, Pisa, Lucca and Massa Carrara.
EXHIBITIONS AND WORKSHOPS
Guests will have the opportunity to participate in a number of special events including exclusive tastings of the Tuscan wines and meeting the wine experts who have produced them. Masterclasses will also be available where guests can discover the production excellence of vintages from great guest wineries, including the ageing of French wines in the ‘Bordeaux Vintage 1998’ workshop. One can become immersed in Tuscan red wine and the stories of its producers from the Ghizzano and Capezzana wine estates in two vertical tastings. Another workshop titled ‘1968, a Wine, a Territory, a DOC’ commemorates the 50th anniversary of the DOC Colline Lucchesi. On top of all this, national and international guests, including the Fisar Federation sommeliers, will be joining these workshops.
ARTISANS OF TASTE
A special feature of this year’s Preview is the ‘Artisans of Taste, which deliciously fuses wine tasting and Italian delicacies. Guests can savour wine paired with cheeses, cured meats, biscuits, desserts and more. Guided tastings of craft beers from the Tuscan coast will also be offered. On top of all this, each afternoon guests can join Mauro Picchi to discover the art of mixing with not only wine and food, but also cigars and spirits (5:30 pm).
Beyond pleasing the palate, guests can also enjoy performances from the Lucca Classica Brass Band (4 & May 4 and 5, 11:15 am & 11 am respectively), Michala Lombardi and Piero Frassi (May 4, 5 pm), as part of the Preview’s ongoing collaboration with the Lucca Classical Musical Festival. (stephanie d’amelio)
For more details visit www.anteprimavinidellacosta.com
