In vino veritas

You simply must take a tour of Florence and Daniel’s Château Smith Haut Lafitte, once owned by a Scottish wine merchant—hence the Smith. The château has its own cooper—a rarity—who visits forests to choose the French oak for the barrels. The sight of his handiwork in the cellars is quite breathtaking—the central panel of each barrel is stained red with wine, purely for aesthetic effect. Bordeaux may be famous for its reds, but be sure to sample the whites, too—the clay soil and climate here are perfect for the Sauvignon Blanc/sauvignon Gris/ Semillon blends produced.