Montespertoli Wine Route: This route runs through charming hill town of Montespertoli which lays in the Chianti wine valley 25 km from Florence and 40 km from Siena.
This region's red Chianti wines are world renown for their dry, crisp flavor and for being perfect match with beef and pork dishes.
However, a little know wine -- Vin Santo ("Holy Wine") -- is also abundantly produced in this region. This high-alcohol (14-17%) is sweet and imbibed at dessert. But is also a sacramental wine by the Catholic Church! The region thus boasts many pastries, cakes and other sweets to accompany vin santo.
After your wine tour in Montespertoli it is worth visiting the Church of Sts. Martin and San Justus, where you can see Ghirlandaio's masterpiece "The Madonna and Child". Perhaps it the Holy Wine that gave him the inspiration!