Montalcino, an ancient town in an ancient land

Toscana (Tuscany), such a wonderful visual experience. It has a uniqueness that neither of us have experienced anywhere else.

We spent last week in one of our favourite places, Montalcino, a small town of 2,500 people in the south of Tuscany. Famous for it's wine, Brunello di Montalcino, the town sits on a hilltop (2,000 feet above sea level)overlooking the Val D'Orcia. We drove up from Rome (about 2.5 hours) in a hire car.... a red Fiat Cinque Cento. Famous and much loved in Italy.

Our apartment in Via Mateotti as always was wonderful.

This is the view  looking east from one of our apartment windows overlooking the town and the Val D'Ocia.

 

We took this shot for the cloud formation over the Val D'orcia from our apartment.

Some of the town just south of our apartment.

 

The moon rising over Montalcino.

The town of Montalcino has a well kept "Fotezza" (fort) from the 14th century.

The town was an important strategic town between Florence and Rome and was subject to many battles in the 13th and 14th century with Florence and Siena vying for control. It initially sided with Siena but later fell to Florence. It was also subject to attacks from Spain, France and Germany.

Inside the Fotezza. There is a festival week in  July in Montalcino and we attended the final jazz night inside the fort. Nonna cooking, Montalcino wines, a great group (Avion Travel) and a balmy summers evening.

Yes it is a Brunello di Montalcino.

Avion Travel in action. They were fantastic.

We love our apartment in Montalcino. We have stayed in the same one a few times now. It is on the main street near Piazza del Popolo, although our apartment is at the back overlooking the valley so it is very quiet

We had a number of meals at home. Usually breakfast was at home and we alternated between lunch and dinner at home.

Spaghetti con ragu e pomodoro.

Our apartment is the second balcony down under the campanile (bell tower) which rang every hour. 

Vino rosso at sunset....aahh.

We also found some really good restaurants outside Montalcino

This one was at Antica Fattoria del Grottaione in Montenero about 20 minutes south east from Montalcino.

It is part of the slow food movement and the outdoor terrace is a wonderful place for lunch.

Who is he kidding?

Another restaurant is in Montisi, north east of Montalcino. It is a lovely small town with plenty of floral displays and neat houses.

The restaurant is Da Roberto at Via Umberto in Montisi. The owner Roberto Crocenzi (seen below) says that his restaurant is his dining room at home. He has gone back to his childhood experiences and memories with food. Flavours that were trusted, simple, genuine and prepared freshly daily. We loved this place. Lunch interno was perfetto.

Our other favourite restaurant is just outside Montalcino. Boccon di vino. We have been there before and dinner again was superb. Family run with papa and two daughters.

Carolyn at dinner in Boccon di vino.

At the restaurant. 2004 was a great year for Brunello. 2006 and 2007 (yet to be released will also be great years).

And of course every Friday is market day in Montalcino. All the locals from the town and surrounding areas come into town for market day

So ciao for now. Back in Roma this week then off to Puglia (south Italy) and Amalfi Coast for next few weeks.

Ciao, baci a tutti

Carolyna e Alan