Suzanne Branciforte's Italian Grapevine

In preparation for the wine-lover’s all-time kermesse, Vinitaly, what does one do?
One gets in shape in a weekend of wellness at a thermal spa, what else? (Can you hear George Clooney saying that ‘What else?’ or does George only do Nespresso commercials in his adopted home, Italy?)
Days in the sun, and nights in the sulfureous pools of Rapolano Terme. Which, by the way, happens to be located in a wine-lover’s hotspot: equidistant from Montepulciano, home to the Vino Nobile, and Montalcino, home to our friend Brunello.

Take a sip of either of those, or the DOCG Chianti Colli Senesi, when you’re not having a massage, a pedicure, a facial, a mud bath, or simply basking in the 104° thermal waters.
Or motor around the local countryside for the breathtaking views of the Val d’Orcia!

Oh, and did you catch the reference to that memorable book, War in the Val d’Orcia? One of the most fascinating accounts of surviving World War II in Italy. The author, the American-Irish noblewoman, Iris Origo, was also a historian who wrote an important study about medieval Italy called The Merchant of Prato. Talk about an interesting life! Iris Origo’s story would make a fabulous film!