Inside The Tuscan Hills Montalcino and The MaremmaDVD
Montalcino and the Maremma At Castello Banfi, a massive winery in the famous wine town of Montalcino, the chef shows off his recipe for filetto in Brunello. A festival in Montigliano celebrates the harvest with grilled rooster and an unusual competition. And the hot springs of Saturnia in the Maremma have greeted visitors for thousands of years. Tucked 2000 feet up onto a ridge top, Montalcino is southern Tuscanys wine capital and the gateway to the wild land further south, the Maremma. In Montalcino we tour the beautifully preserved Fortezza, and see the highlights of the town. In a nearby field, a honey maker shows us his hives and explains why the honey from Montalcino is the best in the world. An artisanal butcher shows us how he makes his highly sought-after prosciutto and the nearby Castello Banfi opens the doors to its Balsameria, where it makes exquisite balsamic vinegar. The reknowned chef at Banfi then cooks his Filetto in Brunello, a decadent beef filet cooked in the winerys own award-winning wine. The small village of Montigliano holds an annual Sagra del Galletto and we are there to see the unusual competition. In deep southern Tuscany, the town of Pitigliano seems to grow out of the very rocks and the ancient hot springs of Saturnia offer both a wild and civilized version for eager bathers. The wild Maremma is lightly populated and famous for its wildlife and dramatic coastline. We see foxes, deer, and the legendary Maremma bull. It is also olive harvest time so we visit a small grove as a family hand picks the pride of Tuscany. Series Description: These programs take an insider's look at the rich rural culture of Tuscany. With exclusive access to the workshops, kitchens, and homes of the Tuscan people, the series is a journey into one of the world's most beautiful places. Each episode shows viewers how the Tuscans themselves really live, visiting master craftsmen and country cooks, ancient farmhouses and rustic cheesemakers, while soaking up the singularly beautiful landscape. Camille Abbe hosts.
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