Along the hills and just 22 miles (35 km) from Siena, a special place rises up. It's Montalcino, a town famous all over the world since the ancient times for its tradition in the wine industry.
TO EAT
Montalcino is the homeland of one of the finest wines in the world, Brunello di Montalcino, with its ruby red colour, intense perfume and unmistakable strong and persistent taste. Here you can't sit at the table without having a glass of Brunello. It would be unacceptable. There are many dishes to pair with this wonderful wine, but if you want to taste something very typical and unique, go for the Pici Cacio e Pepe. This is a main course made of home made Pici, a long shaped durum wheat flour pasta, similar to spaghetti, dressed with cheese and pepper.
TO SEE
Among the San Giovese wine fields producing Brunello, farms and cypress paths, you'll spot Sant'aAngelo in Colle, a small village perfectly preserved and protected by UNESCO. From here, the lanscape is unparalleled - you can see beautiful views in all directions, from Monte Amata to the Maremma plain.
TO BUY
Montalcino is also famous for its cold meat products. If you visit the farm “La Velona”, you can taste and buy cold meats made of organically raised pigs farmed “senese” style. You can't miss tasting the Capocollo with wild fennel seeds, the lardo seasoned by Tuscan tradition, the Finocchiona and the Rigantino, a raw ham aged up to 15 months. The Velona is not famous only for its great cold cuts, but also for the production of oil and jams. In this area you can also stay for the night in a stunning farmhouse from the XVII century, surrounded by the quiet countryside.
TO DO
You can't miss the recently opened museum of Brunello. You can also visit the many exhibitions dedicated to this famous product in the international wine history, and discover how it is being made. A must see for the wine lovers.
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