ITALY WEEK - MONTEPULCIANO

Our final destination in this weeklong celebration of Italy takes us to the charming 

and historic hilltop town of Montepulciano. 

It is an ancient town, with roots dating back to the days of the Roman Empire itself. The town is built upon a hill rising nearly two thousand feet above sea level, which affords it a commanding view of the nearby countryside, as well as a more defensible position in the event of attempted invasion.

The history is palpable as you walk the main street. Park in the 

visitor's center below and get the tour bus up. No personal cars are allowed in the town square. 

Start at the top and work your way down the hill. 

The 500 year old church in the main square is a simple but impressive structure. As you wander back down the hill on foot, shops, cafes and other attractions dot the street. You'll want to sample the food and wine, shop for pottery and remembrances, and soak up the historic surroundings. 

(Wear good walking shoes.) 

As a culinary destination Montepulciano is a major source of cheeses, honey, pastas and, of course, the world-renowned Montepulciano wines. A tasting is mandatory for any visit.

WINE REGIONS - MONTEPULCIANO, ITALY

I'm getting bored, so I figure you must be too.  Let's change it up. Starting today shots for s given week will follow a specific theme. Favorite cities, buildings, natural wonders, etc. And instead of a single shot, I'll be putting up small collections for more of a feel for a place.

Week One: Wine Regions

These barrels and tasting room are underground in a cool storage area just off the main square of the town of Montepulciano, Italy. Smaller and less well-known than the others I'm covering this week, Montepulciano nonetheless produces one of my favorite wines: Montepulciano D'Abruzzo

If you're a fan of peppiery and more organic red wines, try the D'Abruzzo if you see it on a menu. It's a wonderful accompaniment for tomato-based Italian meals (aren't they all?), particularly spaghettis and lasagnas. At least in my experience.

Area tours are available from nearby cities and Rome, or you can "do it yourself".

MONTEPULCIANO, ITALY - CONTUCCI WINE CELLAR BARRELS

Among my very favorite wines are reds from the Tuscan region of Montepulciano.

The town is perched on a hilltop, dating to Roman times.  It has been a commercial and culinary center for centuries, and is justifiably famous worldwide for its wines.

The Contucci winery tasting room sits just adjacent to the town's main square, amidst the history and grandeur of buildings which are hundreds of years old and can be traced back as far as the 13th century. The wine isn't aged quite that long. 

If you're a wine lover, Montepulciano is a name you should certainly have in your database.

UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN, Part 2 - A Photo Essay

In a previous blog post some four years ago I talked about the shooting locations for the movie UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN, a favorite of mine for the way the film uses the location to extraordinary effect: essentially creating a stage against which characters change and the story unfolds, but also as very much a character in and of itself.

Tuscany plays a role in the changes of the central characters, all but a handful of them outsiders in search of a new life and lifestyle. Gentle and caring locals, each of them a character in their own right, introduce their new friends to the Tuscan lifestyle -- an alluring and wonderful way to live which we, as the viewers, can only aspire.

It's a beautiful film, and strongly recommended for anyone who has the Raman blood, the wandering spirit, and the desire to find an oasis in which you could simply discover yourself.

Below are shots from the towns of Cortona and Montepulciano, two settings for the movie.

(If you're a wine aficionado, particularly of reds, Montepulciano d"Abruzzo is one of my favorite wine varietals in the world.)

CORTONA

View from Cortona

Fresh fruit

Gelato on a hot day

The Garlic Bread! Oh, God, the Garlic Bread!!!

 

Wonderful pastas

Excellent cheese stores

MONTEPULCIANO

 

 
 

Montepulciano wines

Pic of the Day: Montepulciano Tasting

A tasting in Montepulciano, in Italy's Tuscan region. Montepulciano is a very small but respected wine area, or AVA, at the southern end of Tuscany.