the main street in Montalcino
A pretty town, perched high above the Orcia Valley, Montalcino is best known for its wine, the Brunello. Produced only in vineyards surrounding the town, Brunello is said to be one of Italy’s best red wines and has gained considerable international fame.
There are plenty of enoteche (wine cellars) around the town where you can taste and buy Brunello as well as the other local wine, the Rosso di Montalcino.
lots to choose from
We arrived on a perfect spring day after driving through the gorgeous hills of Tuscany. The area really is as pretty as the postcards. Montalcino is not very big but it is easy to spend several hours wandering through the old streets. It is fairly steep in parts so be prepared for a climb.
The main streets are filled with wine shops and ceramic shops. We found a delightful shop where the owner was busy hand painting plates. He happily posed for us and we each left with one of plates featuring scenes from the area.
Signore Andreucci with his paints
hand painted plates
the sign at the door
Osticcio in Via Matteotti
We had lunch at a fabulous restaurant called Enoteca Osteria Osticcio in Via Matteotti, 23. The view over the surrounding countryside is incredible and the food is excellent. There is also a large selection of wine to choose from.
our first course of anchovies with pesto
delicious proscuitto and salami
crusty bread with olive oil
fruit with chocolate
the cheerful owner of Osticcio
Brunello 2004 Costanti - the very nice wine we had with lunch
the view from the restaurant
another view
Enoteca Osteria Osticcio – email – osticcio@osticcio.com www.osticcio.com
Click here for more on Montalcino and here annd here for the wonderful archery competition held as part of the Festival of the Thrush.
Ciao Debra, I took a Brunello around to the O’Shea’s last night, Mary was on my tour that I took into Montalcino and I will show you my biscuit jar that came from here, it looks like the plates in your photo. I was reliving our visit from your photos. If it is not too late go to Banfi winery down the road, excellent restaurant, glass museum and gifts. Set in wonderful stone buildings – now American owned so no expense spared. Roz
By: Roz on April 16, 2010
at 8:38 pm
Ciao Roz, We may get back down that way. It is so lovely to drive through those hills in spring. Soon the poppies will be everywhere. We will certainly look for Banfi. Deb
By: bagnidilucca on April 17, 2010
at 4:36 am
Sorry Liz, I just realised you posted this, not Debra and I replied to her, Roz
No problems – it is a joint effort in any case. All the photos are Deb’s as she is a photographer suprema. Ciao Liz
By: Roz on April 17, 2010
at 7:32 am
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I used to love this area
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