An Osteria In Chianti

"Ultimo is Chianti." The truth of these words-and the century-long existence of Ultimo Gori-is the essence of Dario Castagno's fourth book. A native "Chiantigiano" himself, Castagno explores his land through Ultimo's epic life, which begins with his 1908 birth as the tenth child of ill-fated sharecroppers in Chianti Senese. When Dario initially meets Ultimo in 1983-after the then-septuagenarian tosses his Vespa into a tree as if it were a sack of wild mushrooms-it is by chance. But the 25-year friendship that followed was clearly meant to be, in the most profound of ways.Tales of pre-modern Tuscany, family tragedies, unrequited love, the ravages of war, and friends humble and noble alike-including Castagno's own bond with Gori-interlock. Ending with glimpses into a realm of magic, and the power of Ultimo's legacy, Castagno takes the reader on a riveting journey that-spiritually and historically-is Chianti.About the Author:Dario Castagno lives in the small Chianti hill town of Vagliagli. Though "Chiantigiano" through and through, he was born in London to Italian parents that were importing fine Italian wines and spirits to England. He returned to Tuscany when he was nine, and began an exploration of its legends, landscape and lore that is the heart of his writing. An Osteria In Chianti is his fourth book, following up the New York Times notable book Too Much Tuscan Sun-The Confessions of a Chianti Tour Guide, A Day In Tuscany, and Too Much Tuscan Wine. His books-all originally published in English-have been translated and distributed in countries around the world. Castagno is also a proud member of Siena's Bruco (Caterpillar) contrada and an aficionado of the Palio. He is involved with various film and DVD projects, organic olive oil production and agriculture, and speaks internationally on Tuscany and the Palio.