Tasting of organic raw milk cheese

I've just received this invite by some friends who like good wine and food..if someone's interested!

Divine Country :: Tasting of organic raw milk cheese and of the “Finocchiona Sbriciolona” (= Tuscan Fennel Salami) of the Messeri Brothers of Bivigliano (FI) at Casa La Boneca di Gabriele Giannelli (Grassina – San Polo)

SUNDAY MAY 27th, FROM 6:00pm

In this edition of Divine Country we will introduce you to some of the most exquisite Tuscan pecorino cheeses produced by our network of cheese producers. It will also be a rare occasion to taste a cow’s milk cheese from the Alto Adige region (Alps of northern Italy) and the typical Tuscan fennel salami “finocchiona” produced according to the tradition of the Messeri Brothers of Pratolino so that you may appreciate and learn to distinguish the best qualities and diverse tastes of the Tuscan Region.

The products will be served with red and white wines from the Mezzamonte Farm of Impruneta and some of the best wines from Alto Aldige including the excellent Müller Thurgau of the producer Pacherhof and the Kerner and Gewurztraminer of the farm Strasserhof, both from the area of Novacella.
The agricultural consultant for organic farming Roberto Funghi will introduce guests to the secrets of cheese production and cheese tasting.

All of this will take place in this particular farmhouse of our friend Gabriele who will be pleased to welcome you and from which you will have the possibility to enjoy a spectacular sunset

The tasting menu includes:

Raw milk organic cheese:
• A variety of cheeses from the farms of Giovanni Porcu of Radicandoli (SI), of Podere Casa al bosco di Figline Val d’Arno and of Englhorn, Val Venosta, Alto Adige.
• Variety of vegetables typical for the season
Meat:
• Tasting of the famous fennel salami “Finocchiona sbriciolona” of the Messeri Brothers of the butcher’s Rosi di Pratolino (FI)
First dish:
• Ravioli with homemade “ricotta” by the farm of Giovanni Porcu

Price: 20,00 euro for members of the De Gustibus association; 25,00 euro for non members (includes membership to De Gustibus valid for 2007).

To participate please reserve using the following contacts before 6pm, Thursday May 24th
stefan@de-gustibus.it - 349 2895233
donato@de-gustibus.it - 335.1535965

For those who have time in the day, you can take advantage of the Open Cellar events and visit some of the wine producers on the way. You may also swim in nearby Castel Ruggero lake

How to arrive from Florence:

From Florence take the highway toward Firenze Sud and exit at Grassina. From Grassina you will find and fork in the road direction S. Polo. Follow the street to the left towards S. Polo. Right after the sign of the end of the municipality “Bagno a Ripoli” you will find a dirt road to the right, follow this road for about 1 km and you will find to the left an iron gate which indicates you have arrived at the. Below the vineyard next to the barn, the cheese tasting awaits you.
If you would like to come and don’t have a car, try to contact us anyway because we might be able to organize a lift for you with some of the members of the association.