Travel 2 Italy

Have you ever dreamt of sipping red wine under the Tuscan sun, watching the countryside in this charming Italian region?

Then you may have dreamt of Montepulciano. This unique medieval town between Val d’Orcia and Val di Chiana will surprise you with its view over old abbeys, cypress woods and small hills.

Best wines: Vino Nobile and Brunello

Montepulciano is famous all over the world for its red wine, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, made primarily from the grape varietal, blended with Canaiolo Nero and small amounts of other local varieties. Not far from Montepulciano, Montalcino is home to the renowned wine Brunello di Montalcino; that is why this region is perfect for wine lovers.

What to see in Montepulciano

A tour of Montepulciano must start at the Palazzo del Capitano, also known as the Wine Palace: inside the building you will find the Information Centre for the Vino Nobile itinerary, where you can book you wine tasting tour in the region. In the basement of the palace you will then find the Enoteca Consortile, ’s wine shop, where you can taste the best vintage wines in town.

Just out of Palazzo del Capitano, Piazza Grande reveals its marvelous charme. It is the heart of Montepulciano and the top of the hill, surrounded by buildings that date back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Porta al Prato, one of the town’s entrance gates, will lead you to the Corso, the main shopping street, where you will find wine shops and tiny wine bars. Spend some time in their panoramic terraces with a glass in your hand, sipping Vino Nobile, to get the most of Montepulciano.

And if you have the chance to visit the town during summer time, dont’t miss the folkloric event called Bravio delle Botti: it is an original race competition with wine barrels among the eight districts of Montepulciano, that takes place the last Sunday of August. The winning district is the one that gets first to Piazza Grande, after its representatives rolled a 176 pounds barrel through the streets of the town.

A walk in the car-free town centre will let you enjoy the beauty of the Italian art history, but may make you hungry, too. Mouth-watering pici (thick spaghetti) and Cinta Senese cold cuts are typical of the area, and the best ones are said to be found at La Bottega del Nobile restaurant.

A stroll down the hill is perfect for hikers and for those who enjoy walking among sunny hills and vineyards.

For a trip not far from Montepulciano: Bagno Vignoni is a popular tourist destination, known for its hot springs, that lies on a hill in Val D’Orcia. Its thermal waters were discovered by the pilgrims walking on the Via Francigena, and the source is still visible: it’s a square in the heart of the town, namely a tank filled with water.