I thought I would pass on a tip for people staying in a vacation rental in Chianti area (Castellina, Radda, Greve). There is a small market on Sunday in Panzano. It has two vegetable sellers, poultry seller, nursery on wheels and a couple of the usual clothing and linens sellers. A very small "Walmart on wheels" as Pauline would say. If you want to see a picture of the market, check out the Panzano site. http://www.panzano.com/second-pages/top-page-eng.htm

But along with the market, all of the shops are open until 1:00pm. If you don't get a chance to grocery shop after your Saturday afternoon checkin, this gives you another opportunity to pick up items you might need at your rental.

The vegetable seller was very helpful. Porcini mushrooms were available and I wanted to know how to grill the caps. She told me to save the stems for another sauce and embed some garlic in the caps and grill. They were yummy.

There is also a good butcher, Antica Macelleria Cecchini, for meat eaters (we're not) and the friendly Enoteca Baldi. We tasted a reserve Chianti from Volpaia and a Super Tuscan, Lucente, which is a Mondavi collaboration. The butcher and enoteca where both in Capaldo book and on Divina Cucina http://www.divinacucina.com/code/panzano.html.

Marta

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kim,

I don't want to be a nag - but Marta we are waiting for that trip report!! For now I am taking your comments about both your vacation rentals from the message board and making short reviews of them - send me the longer reviews when you get the chance.

I have over 12 reviews that I am working on posting now!! Soon we will be at 100 for Italy!

Good comments about Panzano Sunday shopping Marta. Some of the large Iper Coops are now open on Sunday too. We shopped in Panzano at the Sunday market when we stayed in that area in May 1997. I think that Faith Willinger, the food writer, lives in that area - so her book "Eating in Italy" has lots of info for Panzano.

We enjoyed the Panzano market too, and we were able to stock up on some fruit for breakfasts. In addition to the vendors Marta mentioned, there is also a booth that sells roasted chickens. We had a wonderful lunch with our chicken, fruit, and some bread.

Oh Dario's butcher shop, gnam gnam (yum yum in Italian). I prefer it in the middle of the week as Sunday is always too crowded. You go in, grab a glass of wine, a bite of something and sit around and gossip with him. Then after a while you tell him how hungry you are and he puts together your shopping for you. Let him choose. He is such a true Tuscan. Gotta love him.