On the 16th of September 2019, Vignamaggio began picking grapes, with 30 people at work on 52 hectares of vines. A day spent in the vineyards during harvest time is quite special: there is chatter to be heard in a variety of languages, a few lively Tuscan expressions filter through the branches, and at precisely […]
THE ANCIENT WHEAT
The anticipation, while dough rises, the velvety sensation of flour running through fingers or the fragrance of freshly baked bread, are images that warm the heart and stimulate the appetite. Flour is the main ingredient in many of our recipes, forms part of our daily lives as well as our past, and evokes familiar memories […]
THE DIVINING ONION AND A DIVINE RECIPE
Did you know that … In ancient times the onion played a vital role in divining the fate of marriageable girls? To decide between various suitors, a girl would cut the initials of each beau into a different onion, then place the bulbs on a chopping board and wait… the girl would choose the man […]
TRIBUTE TO IRIS
The name of this plant comes from the goddess Iris, who, according to Greek mythology, carried messages for the gods. Her golden wings were said to sparkle with dew which, lit up by the sun’s rays, glistened with all the colours of the rainbow. She was, moreover, the favourite of Juno, Queen of the Gods, […]
TAGLIATELLE WITH FRESH TOMATO AND BASIL
TAGLIATELLE WITH FRESH TOMATO AND BASIL | Tagliatelle or fettuccine are typically central and northern Italian varieties of egg pasta. Their names are derived from the verbs “tagliare”(to cut) and “affettare” (to slice) respectively. | WHAT WE NEED Dough 500g flour 00 5 eggs Salt Sauce 500g Pachino tomatoes 6 leaves of basil 30g […]
RECIPE: THE LEMON TART
As you know, we love citrus fruits at Vignamaggio and so our chef Cristina decided to make us an exquisite lemon tart. Lemon tart is light, with a refreshing flavor perfect for springtime. The shortcrust dough for the sablé pastry case is skillfully worked to achieve its light and flaky consistency. WHAT YOU WILL NEED […]
AN ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS TREE
Christmas is around the corner, and as usual, we called upon Cristiano and Gilles to design our Christmas tree. They came up with a unique Christmas tree inspired by nature, made from material easily found while strolling around Vignamaggio. You can make this tree too, from what you find as you explore the fields and […]
A CHRISTMAS GIFT: CANTUCCI
The warm aroma of butter, sugar and almonds make winter and the Christmas season even more wonderful. Moreover, gifting some homemade biscuits is a simple gesture that can evoke forgotten memories and flavours. Cantucci, or Cantuccini are traditional Tuscan biscuits, usually served with Vinsanto. Originally from Prato, they were first made without the almonds that […]
COMPOST: WHAT IS IT AND WHAT IS IT USED FOR?
WHAT IS COMPOST USED FOR? Compost is a natural fertilizer and is necessary for enriching the ground, making it more fertile and productive. Differently from chemical fertilizers, compost is environmentally friendly. It is also an ecological and wise method of dealing with organic waste that would otherwise end up burned or in dumps. Adding compost […]
RECIPE: THE POTATO GNOCCHI
This Summer Vignamaggio harvested its first organic potatoes, and even if most of the them has already been eaten, we still have some stocks for this fall. To celebrate the beginning of Autumn with you, we thought about one of the easiest recipes of the Italian cuisine, but a real pronunciation challenge for many foreigners: […]