Tuscany, home of hilltop castles, convents and countless dreamy holidays in Chianti-shire. Forty-five different types of endive and radicchio. Simple food drizzled in peppery extra virgin olive oil. Home of Brunello and Chianti. I sometimes wonder how Chianti became so well-known. It is often an awkward, nervy wine, low in fruit and high in acid. Hard work on its own, if there is magic to be had, it will generally appear once you start eating.

So here we were, in the heart of Chianti-shire to see if we could find the Holy Grail – good, drinkable Chianti Classico. The Chianti Classico zone, which runs from south of Florence to Siena, is the most prized area for Chianti. Beautiful rolling countryside, it is a magnet for the wealthy, who fondly imagine it would be nice to retire here and make some wine.

Having travelled the world for Exxon, Franco and Franca Gatteschi thought they''d had enough of jet-setting and bureaucracy and that they''d retire to the hills around Gaiole. They bought Podere Ciona from the monastery. Oddly, there were very few vines as the monks just kept sheep and pigs. The Gatteschis then thought they''d start an Agriturismo and maybe plant some vines - just to stop them getting bored. Some retirement! There''s no getting away from the paperwork and we enjoyed Franco''s enthusiastic rant about Italian bureaucracy. We can almost picture him as one of those guys who move into the hills and forests of Montana. The similarity ends there. Instead of trapping meat and law-enforcers they run cookery classes and make modern, silky wines. A beautiful Chianti Classico Riserva 2004 19.99, their entry-level Rosso called Montegrossoli 2006 11.99 and a marvellous Merlot Le Diacce 2004 19.99.

The history of Tuscany drips with jealousy and blood. La Marcellina is named after Marcello, the first owner of Fabio Castellacci''s house back in feudal times. He was given a lookout tower at the bottom of the hill by the Sire of Panzano Castle for a ‘special favour’. We take this to mean murdering someone. Wind forward 300 years and the farm belongs to Fabio''s Grandfather, the baker and grocer of Panzano, who started making wine as a hobby. Wind forward another 50 and Fabio is making some charming, pure Chianti with a light, assured touch. From his Ser Marcello Rosso 2006 12.99 up to his Sassocupo Chianti Classico Riserva 2004 22.99 they are delicious.

An hour south of Siena is the hilltop town of Montalcino, home of Brunello. We like our Brunello subtle and elegant, from the cooler northern slope up to the town. The southern vineyards get too hot, too ripe.

"Brunello for the people!" For some reason, this phrase stuck in our minds. Caterina di Carli was talking about her Rosso di Montalcino and how she puts just as much effort into her Rosso as her Brunello. Caterina has been making the wine since she inherited the small estate from her father who was a full-time lawyer with a Brunello making hobby. He pretty much despatched his entire output himself, which might have accelerated his rather premature demise. The style is unreconstructed traditional. She uses wild yeasts – something we have rarely seen outside of Bio-Dynamic (mega-organic) white wine-making. This can give some challenging aromas – exciting, raw and dangerous. In the mouth they are elegant and pure. No trace of oak. Just bright, almost breezy fruit. "Long live the People! Let them drink good Brunello!" Rosso di Montalcino 2005, Il Colle 15.99, Brunello di Montalcino 2002, Il Colle 27.99

Canalicchio''s Nonno Pacenti was one of the first dozen growers to start the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino in 1966, to raise the flag of Brunello above the parapets. Things have moved on since then. The reputation of Brunello now jostles with Barolo for primacy as Italy''s finest red and Nonno''s grandsons are running the Canalicchio show. Their wines are enigmatic. Rich and sumptuous, yet with a dark twist. Rosso di Montalcino 2006, Canalicchio di Sopra 17.99, Brunello di Montalcino 2003, Canalicchio di Sopra 38.99

www.thewineryuk.com

Early autumn evenings are the perfect time to relax outdoors and reflect on the summer’s fun and just because the days are getting shorter and the nights cooler is no reason to stop enjoying your garden. The weather at this time of year can often be drier and more pleasant than summer so grab some Grant’s Family Reserve Whisky set the mood with some russet coloured cocktails and try a different angle on al fresco entertaining this autumn.

Head to your garden with some Short Grant’s Manhattans when you feel like a cosy catch-up with friends. Simply mix Grant’s Family Reserve Whisky, extra dry and red vermouths and bitters for a delicate and sophisticated cocktail and enjoy the autumn colours, smells and new freshness in the air.

For those Indian summer evenings in the backyard, the Grant’s Old Fashioned is the perfect partner. Enjoy the evocative citrus and orange blossom notes hinting to the last of the summer days while the whisky’s cinnamon and vanilla notes give tantalising hints of cosy winter nights to come.

For bonfire night parties serve the adults a Godfather. This simple cocktail is the perfect solution for big autumn gatherings outdoors with the Grant’s Family Reserve whisky and amaretto giving this drink indulgent, honey and almond notes. Serve warm to thaw you and your guests while watching fireworks or chilled over ice to cool down those on bonfire duty.

Try a different angle on autumn with Grant’s Whisky this year and experience a new world of refreshment. For more cocktail ideas and tips on how to make the most of your garden in the long autumn evenings go to www.grantswhisky.com/gardenafterhours.

The Grant’s Family Reserve Whisky is priced from £12.99 and is available at all leading supermarkets and off licenses.

Please Enjoy Grant’s Whisky Responsibly

Short Grant’s Manhattan

• 2* shots Grant’s Family Reserve Whisky

• 12.5ml red vermouth

• 12.5ml extra dry vermouth

• 10ml maraschino cherry syrup

• 2 dashes of orange bitters

• 1 dash of angostura bitters

• Optional: dash of sugar syrup

Add all the ingredients together and stir once. Pour into glass. Garnish with a twist of orange zest and a maraschino cherry.

*1 shot of equals 25ml



Grant’s Old Fashioned

• 2* shots Grant’s Family Reserve Whisky

• Dash of orange bitters

• Dash of angostura bitters

• Sugar (or sugar syrup)

• Garnish with a twist of orange zest

Muddle an orange slice in a tumbler and remove. Add one dash of angostura bitter. Add three dashes of orange bitter. Add 3 ice cubes. Add 15ml Grant’s Family Reserve. Stir well. Add 2 more ice cubes. Add sugar or sugar syrup. Stir well. Pour. Garnish with twist of orange.

*1 shot of equals 25ml



Godfather

• * shots Grant’s Family Reserve Whisky

• 20ml Disaronno amaretto

• splash of orange bitters

• Garnish with orange zest

Fill the glass with ice cubes. Add the Grant’s Family Reserve. Add the Disaronno amaretto. Splash over the orange bitters. Zest an orange over the glass and garnish with a long slice of peel

*1 shot of equals 25ml