Hi! I am still in Italy, because I could not leave. Stay tuned for a lot more on Sicily, but right now I’m chilling in an apartment in the Sant’Ambrogio area of Florence. And was welcomed by the owner of this place with a half bottle of Morellino di Scansano. Here’s a view from my top floor apartment. (66 stairs, but worth every step.)

2014 Cecchi Morellino di Scansano “La Mora”

What the heck is Morellino di Scansano? It’s actually Sangiovese from the Maremma region of Tuscany. This version by Cecchi is the kind of red wine you want to open after arising at 5am to get to Palermo in time for a 8am airplane, then enduring a 6-hour layover in Rome stretched out by flight delays. Topped off by a cab driver in Florence taking photos and posting them on Facebook…WHILE DRIVING. (BTW, layover in Rome airport drinking advice: If you’re in Terminal 1 head to the Ferrari bar for some sparkling wine in the B gates. Also, the cafeteria in the C gates has Baladin beer, an excellent Italian brewery. Try the Issac, which is like a Belgian Wit.)

Also, I am here in Florence with my friend Siiri, who is cooking her way around Spain. Last night we met up with my pal Coral, who takes people on awesome food, wine, and/or cocktail adventures around Florence and beyond. (Check out her tours: Curious Appetite Travel.) So when she brings you to a wine bar and a place for cocktails, you are in good hands.

The wine bar was Le Volpi e L’Uva. They have excellent cured meats and cheeses. In honor of my recent Sicily trip, we drank a white wine from Mount Etna made from the Carricante grape. Followed that up with cocktails at Mayday, a very cool place with memorable decor:

Above photo courtesy Siiri Sampson.

Speaking of decor, the husband of the woman who owns this flat is into restoring awesome vintage clocks.

Also, when Siiri volunteers to cook breakfast, you acquiesce. (And do the dishes. And open Prosecco.)

More from Italy soon.

Tags: cocktails florence, morellino di scansano, Ponte Vecchio wine, wine bar florence