Syrah

Rather rare regional Syrah grape of the Casentino at the Podere Bellosguardo where we went for a wine tasting and a bite to eat. Interesting and convivial. Best wine was a soft Syrah and a very traditional 80% San Giovese/20% Syrah from very old vines (100 years plus) called Pied Franc. Made me realise just how tricky growing vines and making wine is and expensive kit to be bought.

Still in Italy you can grow a tenth of a hectare for home consumption- 600 vines producing circa 800 litres. You’d want a big family or bionic liver to get through that lot.