Montalcino Wine Region

Located in the province of Siena, Tuscany, Montalcino is a stunning wine region of Italy. Montalcino is also a town, which is one of six spectacular medieval hill towns of Tuscany. In addition, this hilltop town is considered the motherland of Tuscany’s fullest, richest, and long-aging wine Brunello di Montalcino. With its history, beautiful vineyards, and exceptional wines, Montalcino is a favorite destination for wine lovers.

Check out the best wine tastings and tours in Montalcino!

Where is Montalcino Wine Appellation?

Situated just below the area of Chianti, Montalcino is Tuscany's famous wine region. It is located about 80 km south of Florence and is surrounding the town of Montalcino. This wine region is 40 km away from the sea and 100 km from the Apennines. With rolling cliffs and farmland of rare attractiveness, it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2004.

History of Montalcino Wine Region

The first mention of Montalcino dates back to 814 AD. when monks built a church Abbey of Sant'Antimo nearby. The town carries its name from a variety of oak trees that earlier covered the place. The very high site of the town offers spectacular views over the Asso, Ombrone, and Arabia valleys of Tuscany.  Viticulture was always one of the crucial parts of the history of Montalcino. However, local monks made a great contribution to vineyards' development.

During medieval times the region was famous for leather goods that were made from the high-quality leathers that were produced there.  Also, this was the period when wine production became more intense. Like many of the medieval towns of Tuscany, Montalcino encountered long periods of peace and often enjoyed prosperity.

The vineyards near the village of Montalcino have always been producing fine wines, however, it was only in 1800, with the help of Clemente Santi, that famous Brunello wine came to light. The number of producers of the wine has grown from only 11 in the 1960s to more than 200 today, producing some 330,000 cases of the Brunello wine annually.

Terroir of Montalcino Wine Appellation

The area of Montalcino covers 24,000 hectares, 15% of which is occupied by vineyards. The site is approximately a square bordered by rivers Ombrone, Asso, and Orcia. The range of slopes with various exposure, the extremely hilly terrain, and the varying heights from 120 to 650 meters above sea level between the valley areas and the highest zones create distinctive microclimates. Overall, Montalcino has a Mediterranean climate: it tends to be dry but has continental conditions, given its place between the beach and the peaks.

The soils of Montalcino are various because of their formation over diverse geological eras. Some areas are full of relatively loose soils. However, when we move up the hill, the soil becomes thick with hard particles constructed by the original marl and limestone.

The climate of Montalcino is normally the Mediterranean, with rainfall in May, October, and November. In winter, snow is not rare beyond a height of 400 meters. Most places where winemaking estates are situated are not affected by fog, ice, or late frost. The calm climate and a large number of days of daylight during the entire vegetative cycle assure the full ripening of the grapes.

Grape varieties of Montalcino

The most famous grape variety from the Montalcino wine region is Sangiovese Grosso. All Brunello di Montalcino wine is produced from Sangiovese Grosso grapes grown on the slopes around Montalcino.

Brunello was the first wine to be awarded Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) status. Brunello di Montalcino must be aged five years before release. Another Montalcino wine Rosso di Montalcino (DOC) is made from Sangiovese Grosso grapes and ages one year. You will come across a variety of Super Tuscan wines that are produced within the commune. Moscadello sweet white wines were also famous until the development of the Brunello wines.

Food to pair with Montalcino

Paglia e fieno (Straw and Hay)

Paglia e fieno is a famous Italian dish. Its name means straw and hay, directing to the spinach pasta noodles as hay and the egg pasta noodles as straw. It's best if the spinach and egg kinds of pasta are tagliatelle or taglierini varieties, combined with onions, peas, prosciutto, olive oil, and cream.

The recipe for this Paglia e fieno is quick and easy: the result is very valued for pasta lovers and seasoning with different elements.

The pasta is mixed with the other ingredients, and the dish is finished with grated Parmigiano, ground pepper, and chopped parsley. As a result, you got creamy pasta with different flavors. Don't forget to taste the dish with a glass of Montalcino wine.

Penne Alla Fiesolana

Penne Alla Fiesolana is a traditional Italian dish from Tuscany. The dish is cooked with a combination of penne pasta, olive oil, milk, peas, prosciutto crudo, onions, flour, and butter. The ingredients are mixed and enhanced with an easy béchamel sauce.

The pasta water should be added to the pot because the starches from the moisture allow the gravy to consolidate up. Finally, the dish is garnished with chopped parsley, black pepper, or completed with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Interestingly, penne alla fiesolana was a popular dish among the late 19th-century peasants, during the holidays. Nowadays, you can taste the dish in almost every restaurant in Tuscany. However, we recommend it with Montalcino wine.

Pici with Breadcrumbs (Pici Alle Briciole)

Pici Alle Briciole is a simple Tuscan dish that is famous in the Montalcino wine region. It's a standard model of la Cucina Povera, made with simple elements such as garlic, hot red peppers, olive oil, Tuscan bread, and handcrafted pici pasta.

The pici pasta is usually made with flour and water, and each noodle is rolled by hand, similar to spaghetti but wider. In addition, they don't use eggs in the pasta, which is a sign of its poor origin. The pici pasta is mixed with a sauce consisting of breadcrumbs, olive oil, garlic, and hot pepper.

Finally, the dish is seasoned once again with pepper and salt. While you visit the Tuscany region, do not forget to eat this delicious dish with the accompany of Montalcino wine.

Places to visit in Montalcino

Chiesa di Sant'Agostino

One of the interesting places to visit in Montalcino is a historical chirches. Chiesa di Sant'Agostino was built by the Augustinian order in 1227. Later, in 1380 the church was rebuilt in Gothic style. In 1782, the Augustinian convent was stopped, and the church passed to the diocese, which used it for a seminary.

In recent years, the archdiocese, the region, and commune, and a private foundation have been involved in the restoration of the interiors. This restoration contained 14th and 15th-century frescoes depicting the Passion of Christ and Life of St Anthony Abbot attributed to Bartolo di Fredi or followers. If you want to see this astonishing church with a huge history and aesthetical sides, Chiesa di Sant'Agostino should be on your checklist.

Montalcino Cathedral

Montalcino Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Montalcino, Italy. Previously the center of the bishops of Montalcino, since 1986, it has been a co-cathedral in the Archdiocese of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino. The church was constructed in the 14th century on the site of the ancient San Salvatore. It was believed to have been built around the year 1000 and was elevated to the status of cathedral in 1462 by Pope Pius II.

Among the famous works of art in the cathedral is the painting Immaculate Conception with Jesus and God the Father by a young Francesco Vanni of Siena. On the front altar, is a painting of Saint John the Baptist in the desert, another early work by Francesco Vanni.

Beyond its exterior, with its colorful and impeccable Neoclassical lines, the interior hides some of the most beloved gems. So, if you want to see the beautiful architectural site and the timeless artworks, Montalcino Cathedral should be on your list.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Montalcino