How would
you like to spend a day wandering the area filmed in “Under the Tuscan Sun”
and visiting the sites that led millions to fall in love all over again with
Bella Italia?
A visit to
Cortona and Montepulciano is a special encounter with history, great food
and high quality wine. Cortona lies far atop a hillside dominating the south
side of the Chiana Valley.
The
surrounding Etruscan walls contain the city’s beauty and nobility. From the
fortress you can enjoy magnificent views of Lake Trasimeno and the
surrounding forests along with vineyards and olive groves that produce some
of the best wine and olive oil in all of Italy.
As you
explore the long narrow streets you will feel the allure of Cortona, her
people and her character. In one of the quaint eateries you will enjoy a
tasty light lunch prepared for you by the owner, Imola. She will delight you
with a special plate full of Tuscan prosciutto (ham), wild boar salami,
fresh pecorino cheese, pecorino with truffle, artichokes set in olive oil
and ciaccia (flat Tuscan bread) with tomato and truffle flavoured olive oil.
This very
Tuscan meal will be accompanied by Cortona Sangiovese, a splendid red wine
produced in the area. After Cortona you will continue your journey by
visiting the hill town of Montepulciano.
Home of the
famous “Vino Nobile di Montepulciano”, a wine that seems to originate in the
1300’s. The name probably comes from the fact that in ancient times noble
families would choose the best grapes from the vine so that their tables
would be graced with the highest quality of wines. Another fascinating
attribute of Montepulciano is that it is one of the only places in the world
where there are ancient underground cellars dating back to Etruscan times
right in the heart of the town.
Here you
will visit one of these ancient cellars, below a city palace where the wine
rests in Oak barrels maturing into what will be the future Vino Nobile. Take
your time and discover that it is not only famous wine that makes
Montepulciano special but also the medieval atmosphere and friendly people.
