Europe, Travel, Wine

A Walk Through Montepulciano in Pictures

Our agrtourismo was planted in the midst of a sea of bright, luscious vineyards.  Rows and rows of vibrant green vines producing the seductive wines of Montepulciano lined the hills and teased us in the distance.  The panorama was so real and appeared so close that I could reach into the sundrenched Tuscan horizon and snap off a juicy Sangiovese berry.  This was terrior, and we were lodging in the middle of it.  From our balcony, we could get lost for hours just breathing in the fresh country air and the view that until now had only been a dream.

But yet, something was calling us away.  Teasing us.  Luring us out of our wine induced trance.  An ancient voice.  The town of Montepulciano stood a mere mile away overlooking our overlook.  Protecting us like it has done the surrounding countryside against enemy attacks for centuries.  Except our enemy was not the Republic of Siena, but the temptation of a wine coma.  We listened to its calling.

Whenever we had an extended downtime during our week long culinary excursion, we became restless even with our perch overlooking the vineyard.  We were entranced by Montepulciano and its centuries of history, culture, and gastronomical delights.  What past lay behind those ancient walls?  What mysteries were found buried in the layers of caves beneath the city?  More importantly, what wine cellars would we stumble upon while exploring those caves?

Our driver would drop us at the gates of the city, and we would amble for hours getting lost in the village’s streets, alleyways, and stairways.  Stopping in at cheese stops for samples.  Savoring a mid-morning snack of gelato. Sipping a cappuccino for a quick pick-me-up.  Chasing any sign that read “free wine tasting”, especially if it teased with a tour within the caves. Delighting on a meal of Tuscan fare.

What follows is a photo montage of Montepulciano, the town that is the center of the connoisseur of wine regions.  Pour a glass of red wine and enjoy!

Click on any photo to view as a slideshow.

 

 

 

Entrance to a Wine Cave

Entrance to a Wine Cave

A Hundred Bottles of Wine on the Table...

A Hundred Bottles of Wine on the Table…

One of the Many Wine Stores

One of the Many Wine Stores

Entering the Wine Caves

Entering the Wine Caves

Hidden Beneath the City

Hidden Beneath the City

The Gates

The Gates

The Ancient Walled Town

The Ancient Walled Town

Dinner at La Grotta

Dinner at La Grotta

Bottles of Montepulciano

Bottles of Montepulciano

A View of the Tuscan Countryside from atop Montepulciano

A View of the Tuscan Countryside from atop Montepulciano

A Weekly Market

A Weekly Market

Wine Barrels

Wine Barrels

The Colors of Montepulciano

The Colors of Montepulciano

Wild Boar and Polenta

Wild Boar and Polenta

Fine Wine, Fine Food, Fine Company - La Dolce Vita!

Fine Wine, Fine Food, Fine Company – La Dolce Vita!

Bruschetta

Bruschetta

Crociani Wine Cellar

Crociani Wine Cellar

Screw Daylight!  I'll Stay with the Wine!

Screw Daylight! I’ll Stay with the Wine!

The alleys of Montepulciano

The alleys of Montepulciano

The Tuscan Stairmaster

The Tuscan Stairmaster

Breathtaking

Breathtaking

A Well Found Deep in the Caves

A Well Found Deep in the Caves

More Barrels

More Barrels

Yes, Please!

Yes, Please!

The Main Square in Montepulciano

The Main Square in Montepulciano

A Well

A Well