Caterina dei Medici was crazy about spinach so much that when she went to France to marry the future king she brought with her a Florentine cook to have them cooked. The story goes that thanks to her the French Court also got to know the goodness of other vegetables, first of all of the artichokes which Lorenzo's young daughter apparently could not do without and then the use of damask tablecloths, forks and again, of melons, sorbets and superfine creams.
And today when a dish is garnished with a bed of spinach in France this is "a' la florentine". And in Tuscany it's “alla Medici”, he says Maurizio Iannicello, chef of the Taverna dei Barbi in Montalcino, where the menu of the “Notte Bianca under the stars” scheduled for next August 12th.
And where the much noble vegetables will be the side dish to one of the main dishes of a dinner made special also by the obligation of total white dress code for guests in the garden where the menu, tables, candles and decorations will also be rigorously white. The dish of "porchetta rabbit with white Vermentino grapes and Vinsanto dei Barbi reduction with Medici spinach with raisins and pine nuts" will, in fact, be the conclusion of the dinner - explains the chef - paired with Brunello di Montalcino from Fattoria dei Barbi 2016 .
To open the evening an aperitif with finger food for now secrets, and Vermentino della Fattoria dei Barbi 2020. The zucchini flan with cream of cherry tomatoes and ricotta dei Barbi will be accompanied by the classic Brusco dei Barbi 2018. While the malfatti (or gnudi) with the truffle of San Giovanni d'Asso can be tasted with a Maremma Toscana 2017. To conclude the sumptuous rabbit in porchetta, which also brings us our stories under the stars, such as that of Caterina and certainly narrated by the landlord, Stefano Cinelli Colombini, inexhaustible and exceptional interpreter in his stories to the guests of the historic Cantina della life and customs of the people of Montalcino.
And finally, here's the zuppa inglese, another favorite recipe from Maurizio Iannicello, accompanied by peach petals to be tasted with Vinsanto dei Barbi 2012. A roundup of experiences of authentic Tuscan cuisine and wines from Fattoria de Barbi, preceded by a visit to the historic cellar and the Brunello Museum as part of the Calici di Stelle initiatives of the Movimento Turismo del Vino (Wine Tourism Movement). Reservations are required ([email protected] , tel 0577841111).
