Montalcino, the medieval town of the famous Brunello wine and of Mozart’s vineyard
If one says the word Montalcino, one immediately thinks about the famous Brunello di Montalcino wine! the prestigious red wine made from Sangiovese grapes only, and aged for at least 5 years; highly prized and famous all over the world.
It was the distant year 1888 when Ferruccio Biondi Santi had the idea of eliminating the vines of the traditional Chianti recipe, using instead only grapes of the Sangiovese variety.
We tell you about the exceptional history of the Brunello di Montalcino wine in this blog’s article of Il Paradiso di Frassina. Il Paradiso di Frassina is a winery in Montalcino that produces the Brunello of Mozart, a unique Brunello wine as the Sangiovese vines grow constantly accompanied by Mozart’s music, and Mozart’s music always accompanies also the wine’s aging in barrels.
Visiting Montalcino
Montalcino is certainly the country of Brunello but it is also a wonderful medieval village, almost fairytale, dominated by an ancient castle and surrounded all around by an imposing city wall. A place that has remained virtually intact since the 16th century, and is waiting to be discovered, perhaps between one tasting of Brunello and another.
Montalcino is located south of Siena, in the splendid scenery of the Val d’Orcia Natural Park, known for its scenic beauty and Unesco heritage.
This enchanting village is the ideal stop for a tour of the Val d’Orcia, an extraordinary place with breathtaking views, characterized by a continuous succession of sinuous hills, centuries-old oaks and ancient olive trees, winding country roads, beautiful vineyards, and cypresses. around.
The Rocca di Montalcino, also known as Rocca or Castello di Montalcino, built in 1361, dominates the village and the wonderful landscape that extends as far as the eye can see, with an exceptional view of the Crete Senesi, the Val d’Orcia, and the Monte Amiata up to the hills of the Maremma region.
The Rocca, which has remained practically intact, was born as a defense castle, given its strategic position on the Via Francigena. The Fortress has the typical structure of a medieval defensive castle with a pentagonal plan surrounded by towers and walls with walkways and battlements, which are still visible.
Important Events in Montalcino
La Rocca is the location of important events such as the famous Montalcino Jazz & Wine Festival, which is held every year in July; an event where good music and good wine combine perfectly.
Furthermore, Benvenuto Brunello is held every year, a very important event where experts evaluate the vintage of the harvest and assign from 1 to 5 stars based on quality.
For this occasion, the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino has a celebratory tile that is signed by important personalities and affixed to the wall of the Town Hall.
This year the great entrepreneur Brunello Cucinelli has signed the tile dedicated to the 2022 harvest of Brunello di Montalcino.
What to see in Montalcino
Among the buildings that surround the main square of the village, Piazza del Popolo, stands the beautiful Palazzo dei Priori, seat of the Municipality, with medieval architecture, characterized by a long and narrow tower. The churches of Sant ‘Agostino, Sant’ Egidio and San Francesco are worth a visit, as well as the Bishop’s Palace.
We also recommend visiting the Civic and Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art and the Glass Museum, where the history of glass is traced from the Egyptians to the Romans and finally to the great Venetian masters.
The narrow streets and alleys of Montalcino are full of food and wine shops and beautiful wine bars, especially in Piazza del Popolo.
We recommend the visit of the suggestive Abbey of Sant’Antimo, a few kilometers away from Montalcino, in the hamlet of Castelnuovo dell’Abate.
Belonging to the Olivetan congregation of San Benedetto, according to legend, the abbey was founded by Charlemagne. Surrounded by an enchanting landscape and ancient olive trees, the abbey is one of the most important examples of the Tuscan Romanesque style.
