MONTEPULCIANO & PIENZA

Two days in the picturesque Valdorcia: one dedicated to Vino Nobile, one to the Brunello (see Brunello experience).  It seemed the best way to “slow-travel” from Florence to Rome for this this young couple. Why jump on a train and get there in 90’?  I set this classic itinerary for them, with a night in Montepulciano. This first day is for the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a great rich Sangiovese with a tradition of centuries, the real, historical "supertuscan” of the Renaissance in my opinion. We tasted first at prize winner Poliziano-Carletti winery, we stopped in Pienza to taste wine and cheese at Enoteca Le Crete. Then, we drove the celebrated curves of Monticchiello, and crossed the rolling fields of the Crete, to reach Montepulciano, and the Pulcino winery and restaurant just in time for lunch. Later, uptown Montepulciano, they tasted in two historical underground cellars:  La Talosa and the amazing Ricci/Redi,  so-called wine cathedral.