Vino di Montepulciano Wine tours in Tuscany, Italy.

Let’s take a trip through the country of the King of Wines

You can’t come to Italy and not pay a visit to the country of the King. For, in the words of poet-philosopher Francesco Redi, "Montepulciano, of all wine, is king."

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, as the name implies, has nobility in it -- a touch of class.

The wine is produced in the region sandwiched between the Val d'Orcia and the Val di Chiana in the province of Siena. The area has ancient connections with wine, as proved by the discovery of a kylix (wine cup) in an Etruscan tomb near the town of Montepulciano. Decorated with the figure of the Etruscan equivalent of Bacchus the Greek God of wine, it was found in 1868.

The first recorded commendation for the wine can be found in the words of Sante Lancerio, cellar-master to Pope Paul III Farnese, who wrote in 1549 that Montepulciano's wines were "most perfect, fit for gentlemen".

Redi’s poem is thought to have influenced William III, King of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, so much that he developed a taste for the wine of this region. Later, an English delegation went to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany to get a supply of Moscadello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano for the Court of St. James.

At one point the wine was confused with the Chianti Colli Sensei also made in the region, but of late, greater care is being taken to ensure production standards and maintain the uniqueness of Il Vino Nobilie.

It was the first wine to get DOGC recognition, and firm guidelines are laid down for classification. This wine, produced from grapes which yield the Sangiovese wine (Prugnolo Gentile, Canaiolo Nero) plus grapes used for other wine varieties of the area, has to mature for at least two years in large oak barrels.

There are about 50 producers in the region, and each wine is different, but in general they have a bouquet of violets and cherries, are well rounded and go with red meats, game and mature cheeses.

We’ll take you to Il Vino Nobile land, and give you a chance to taste these superior wines as well as enjoy some spectacular views and exploring the historic town.

Montepulciano is built along a narrow limestone ridge. The many works of the Renaissance artists have earned for it the sobriquet “Pearl of the 1500s”. It has a main square or Piazza Grande, overlooked by grand buildings like the Palazzo Publico and a Cathedral with an unfinished façade, dating back to 1594. It houses a marvellous triptych by Taddeo di Bartolo behind the main altar. There are many churches in the town and its immediate surroundings, but one of the most beautiful is the square church down in the valley, the Tempio di San Biagio, a masterpiece by Antonio d Sangallo in 1518.

There’s also a fortress and medieval residences or “palazzi” belonging to the 13th century.
At the end of August, Montepulciano pays tribute to its most famous product -- wine. This is the season of the 'Bravio delle Botti', a competition among the 'contrade', the different districts of the town. Representatives of these districts race each other, rolling empty wine barrels up through the town to the Piazza Grande.

While there are historical monuments and artistic treasures above ground, the land under Montepulciano is a rabbit warren of wine cellars, and you’ll get a chance to walk through one of these during our tour.

We’ll start at 9.30 a.m. from your hotel or villa in Siena and travel southwards.

Our first stop will be Pienza, a hilltop town founded by the Pope Pius II. Here, you’ll find time to admire a gorgeous view of the Orcia valley and walk through the little streets of the town, crammed with shops selling typical products, the most important of which is Pecorino cheese. Buy some to take back with you.

Lunch will be at a typical Tuscan restaurant, where you can sample Tuscan dishes, made with extra virgin olive oil, of course.

The next stop is Montefollonico, a little fortified village with small houses. We’ll take you to an ancient winery for a private wine tasting. The owner makes a very good Nobile di Montepulciano wine, spiced with passion and devotion. You’ll be able to explore the cellar, which dates back to the 13th century, and learn about the old method of making this interesting wine. As a bonus, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside from the terrace of the winery.

The second wine tasting is in a small winery where the great Nobile di Montepulciano wine and Supertuscan are produced. Here too, you will enjoy touring the cellar.

We’ll drop you back at your hotel or villa at around 5.30 pm

We would be glad to draft a customized itinerary for other tours in Tuscany for our customers. We are just an email <http://www.tuscany-cooking-class.com/reservation.html> away and would love to hear your feedback.

** Please note that all prices are quoted considering a pick up and drop off in Florence. We can organise for the driver to come to your villa or accommodation in other areas of Tuscany and prices will be quoted separately upon request **

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