I am thinking of going to Montepulciano for my Italy wine country/countryside experience. Good choice?

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martox45

Definitely a good choice !!. As above answerer posted Montepulciano is a very nice small village on top of a hill, not so far from Siena, out from the tourist routes and fully immersed in the sweet Tuscan countryside. Other areas here in Tuscany (like Chianti in the neighbours of Florence) are actually receiving a major number of visitors for their wines tours but if I would have to chose, Montepulciano would be my preferred site.
In Italy we have a well known poetry that's reading in a strophe: "Montepulciano d'ogni vino Ã¨ il re" which meaning is "the wine of Montepulciano is the king of all the wines".
This wine (best kind and most renowned is the "Vino Nobile" i.e. "Noble Wine") is in my opinion absolutely underrated but you'll have the opportunity to know it better while yr staying overthere.
Here's a link with a lot of info even on all the small villages of the surrounding that are all simply awesome and worthy with a visit during yr staying http://www.nautilus-mp.com/tuscany/presentazione/montepulciano/indexing.html
I can't suggest any of the sites there described; yr better bet would be to visit all of them. I wish you've time enough...!! That's the real heart of the trueTuscany and I'm happy for yr choice finally for once out the common paths.
I'm absolutely sure you'll enjoy it and I would like to have an email with yr impressions when you'll be back home.

historia_politica

Be sure to check out Castello Banfi and other wineries in Montalcino....Brunello is the best that Tuscany has to offer in terms of wine.

Ciao e Buon Viaggio!

who knows

Excellant choice. Of course going to Italy for wine experience is a wonderful situation to be in.
The only thing I would recommend is that you try to get to Montalcino. (23 miles from Montepulciano)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montalcino

I personally like their Brunello better than the Nobile.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brunello_di_Montalcino

2 2001 ( the most recent riserva release) Brunello riservas were rated 100 by wine spectator, and 2001 Casanova di neri Brunello was their choice for "wine of the year". This rating included "value". Which means its a little more affordable. The Rosso di Montalcino is also a good choice. Its newer and less expensive.

If you do get to Montalcino, Go to Enoteca Osticcio for a wine tasting. Tullio and Francesca will be happy to help.
The view isn't bad either.

http://www.osticcio.com/index.htm

I have an acquaintance that is the wine maker at Terralsole

http://www.terralsole.com/

I think their Rosso (at about $20 a bottle) is great wine value.
Also try a Super Tuscan or two. They are a blend of different grape varieties. Some blend for price, some blend for taste.
If you get a good one they are very good. I suggest find a vineyard with a very expensive top of the line wine and try their less expensive wines.
I have never had a bad wine from Frescobaldi.
Personnally I try to stay away from Banfi. They are the walmart of Italian wine. I don't question their quality, I just worry that they are putting some of the smaller vineyards out of business.
Good luck.
You can't go wrong.
I'm jealous.

tresyabedkowska

If you are in toscana, visit also san gimignano, to experience a famouse ice cream stall, and a living in a church just for a stay, they have great food ever, but should phone first. then also your choice of montepulciano, then if you like, siena for the palio, you should have an experience on it, or around the area, asisi, and also a sight in florence.

mareeclara

i loved it there...however I was there for only 1 night!!!
(long story but I was supposed to stay in Siena, but chose the Siena REGION and ended up there...lucky mistake).

The town is on a hillside overlooking the surrounding area and is quite a rustic little place.....I thought it was lovely and great way to escape from other busier places......
I learnt more after arriving that its important for wine and of course had to buy some red wine to appreciate that fact.

I stayed in a hotel, but I am not sure what else is there for longer term accommodation, I guess you would have to do some more investigating (I would have liked to have views of the valley around it but had a concrete wall instead, but it was a generous sized room for sure!!)

Genius Cook

Montepulciano is a classic choice so therefore best to start there. Of course there are many other places in Italy where the wine pours well.
Sicily, for example, is a must if you want to taste what the Greeks once imported. The vineyards along the Mount Etna are superb. Marsala... a wine that the Brits fought for is still a valued wine.
The Oltre Po Pavese - just south of the Po River (south of Milan) and up in the low hills you'll find wines without comparison.
The Veneto (Vicenza... the "colli" or hills are just short of heaven) & Friuli - the Friulani are the heaviest drinkers in Italy- lovely whites and vibrant reds.... all made to match the fine foods from the area.
Puglia - the heel of the peninsula - makes reds that need to be tasted on location - their taste is not only from the hot earth where the grape is grown but from the perfume of air & sea.
So, again, go to Montepulciano but keep in mind that there are historic wines made throughout Italy.

liliana c

buongiorno
well is not bad choice bot if you want to go to sicily you should go to marzala is beatiful and the country and winerys
special baglio hopps wines is the best + you can see a littel and private islands around marzala.
other potion is to go up nord the italia trentino-altoadige the wines are the best so far is 2 diferents experience-sud-nord
make you choice
have a wonderful day
buonafortuna:goodluck

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