Mediterrean Tuscany - The flavours

From the reefs of Calafuria and Quercianella to the peaceful beaches of Vada, from the sands of Marina di Castagneto to the opulence of Castiglioncello, moving from the boutiques of Cecina to the archaeological marvels of Populonia and the wonderful underwater world of Baratti, through a refrain of pinewoods and a tourism which is still of human dimensions, it is the original flavour of the Tuscan Maremma to attract the visitor with its wine trail and typical dishes. The genuineness of the cuisine is the result of a long tradition of fishing and the richness of the surrounding maquis. Its offer of game and poultry is in perfect harmony with the famous and excellent wines, one of the best Olive Oils of Italy and the harvest of this original Tuscan land.

On the coast fish holds sway, admirably supported by the white wines from the hinterland which urge their accompaniment to gilt-head sea bream and dentex, shrimps and cuttlefish. A combination of excellent quality raw materials which has proved decisive in scattering the territory with restaurants and trattorias specialised in seafood cuisine. Traditional fare, such as riso alla scogliera (rice with baby squid, clams, cuttlefish and shrimps), clam soup, fried anchovies, squid marinara style, prawns in fish stock and the ubiquitous grills of noble fish.

Nevertheless, echoes of the flavours of the hinterland also penetrate this far, thanks to the numerous enoteche or wine bars which have sprung up, bringing the great red wines of this area, with a worthy accompaniment of cheeses, preserved meats and extra-virgin olive oil, within easy reach of the beach umbrellas. In such a way that even the most seaside of holidays can be transformed into a complete gastronomic experience.
Another great help is the presence of famous and much-decorated venues, which continue to be essential landmarks for the gourmet. But this does not mean that they have the prerogative of good food. On the contrary: beyond the sphere of celebrity, there are lots of restaurants along the coast fully equipped to serve highly memorable dishes, and the beauty of a holiday lies partly in exploring these, one by one, following the hints and suggestions of friends or of the locals.

The wine trail

The wineyards

Traditional dishes