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What better place for your wedding than the Tuscany's most picturesque regions: the castle-topped hills and Arcadian vineyards of the Chianti, Italy's most famous wine district.
The word Chianti is familiar to many, many people, even those who have never been to Tuscany. It conjures up images of rolling hills, silvery olive groves, cypresses and, of course, vineyards.
The landscape between Florence and Siena, between the upper Arno valley and the valley of the Elsa, is breathtakingly beautiful. it boasts historic towns that are rich in history and art, monasteries and villas, castles and fortified villages, and beautifully solitary farmsteads standing amidst vineyards and olive groves.
In addition this is the world's definitive wine region, in both history and spirit; these hills have been an enological center for several thousand years. In fact, one local grape, the Canaiolo nero -- one of the varietals that traditionally goes into Chianti Classico -- was known to the ancients as the "Etruscan grape". Nowadays a consortium guarantees the quality of Chianti Classico and of the 100 sq. km (39 sq. miles.) of vineyards in the hills between Florence and Siena, some 6,972 hectares (17,430 acres) are devoted to the grapes that will eventually become Chianti Classico and carry the famous seal of the black rooster.
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