Montepulciano is a town in the Tuscany region of Italy. It is located between the cities of Florence and Siena, and it is known for its beautiful scenery, historic attractions, and wine.
History of Montepulciano
Montepulciano is located on a hilly area surrounded by three valleys: the Val di Chiana, the Val d’Orcia, and the Val di Cornia. It has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and its name means “Hill of Wolves.”
The town was first settled by Etruscans as early as 8th century BC. In Roman times, the town became an important agricultural center for the region with its fertile land and irrigation systems to help grow crops such as wheat, beans, oats and barley.
In 1291 AD, Montepulciano became part of Florence’s territory after being defeated by its army in battle during their conquest of Tuscany at the end of the 13th century AD.
Getting to Montepulciano
This can be done by plane or car. The nearest airport is in Florence, but there are also airports in Rome and Bologna. A train station is located in Chiusi Scalo, however, it takes about two hours to reach Montepulciano from there by car.
Activities in Montepulciano
Montepulciano offers plenty of things to do for all kinds of travelers. You can stroll through the streets and admire the architecture, go on a tour of a local winery or two (or ten!), and even take a cooking class at one of the many restaurants in town. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, there are also hiking trails that lead up into the hills surrounding the city.
The wine of Montepulciano
Montepulciano’s claim to fame is its wine—the wine produced there has been sold since before the Renaissance. There are many wineries and vineyards in town, as well as restaurants and cafes that serve wine from local sources.
It is a red wine made in this region. It is a DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) wine, meaning that it is produced in a specific area according to strict production guidelines and quality control. These wines are known for their intense, deep color and rich flavor profile.
Montepulciano grapes are grown in vineyards throughout the region of Montepulciano, but especially near the city of Montepulciano itself. The grape can also be found growing in other areas of central Italy, including Tuscany and Umbria.
The best time to visit is in September when you can see the grapes being picked from the vineyards and pressed into juice for wine production. There are many wineries that you can visit while you’re there; Fontodi has been making wine since 1875 and produces several different varieties including a rosé made from white grapes called Rosso di Montepulciano.
