Surprisingly
Montalcino isn't just Brunello wines, Tuscan food and beautiful views. Car
races seem to become favorite weekend events in Sangiovese town. The
famous Mille Miglia old-timer rally in May whizzes through nearby Buonconvento not
Montalcino, but on the first June weekend we had the second Panda Race of history, an event surely due to emulate Mille Miglias's fame. On the second
June weekend we're in for a dirt road race - they are kind of everywhere in
Tuscany - sponsored by the Castello Banfi winery.
And I thought all
Banfi vintners cared for was Jazz & Wine! On a side note, the 2012
program of their Jazz festival is still not out. I start to fear that Banfi may
have spent the money put aside for fab Jazz musicians on race drivers
instead.
TUSCAN REWIND: June 9-10, 2012
If you care less for cars than Jazz, here's a video to kill some time
whilst waiting for that program. Pianist Enrico Pieranunzi is one of the gods
of Italian Jazz. No, that's wrong. He's one of the gods of the world's Jazz scene,
not jut of the Italian fraction (he started his international career as Chet Baker's pianist). He has given prove of his mastery at
Montalcino Jazz & Wine several times in the past. Let's pray he'll be back.
Even if he has to wear a helmet to be allowed in.