2017 04 Aug Sept

TUSCANY, AN INDULGENT COMBINATION OF WINE,
FOOD AND SCENIC LANDSCAPES
Tuscany has one of the most alluring landscapes
in the whole of Italy and its rolling hills
covered in vineyards and olive groves
continues to lure travellers from all around
the world. Fortress-topped peaks are scattered across
the countryside reminding visitors of the past tussles
that occurred throughout history between the region’s
powerful city states.
The most significant locations are now protected as
UNESCO World Heritage Sites and include central
Florence, the historic centre of Siena, historic centre
of San Gimignano, historic Pienza, the Medici villas
and gardens, Piazza de Duomo in Pisa and the Val
d’Orcia.
Visitors can explore these sites as well as enjoy the
picturesque landscape, superb wines and wonderful
food on a self-drive holiday with May being a perfect
time of year with perfect Mediterranean weather and
just before the European summer with its crowds and
over-booked hotels.
Montalcino is a medieval hill town located in
southern Tuscany that came under the influence
of Florence in the mid 16th century after various
conflicts between Siena and Florence. It is a lessvisited
Tuscan destination and a good base to explore
the more popular cities of Siena (42km away) and
Florence (110km away) to the north.
Historical Context
Wine is an important element of any visit to Tuscany
with several iconic wines including Chianti and
Brunello di Montalcino. The Etruscans started
cultivating grapes in southern Tuscany many
centuries ago with contemporary winemakers
continually refining the technology to produce some
of the world’s most acclaimed wines. Montalcino
is famous for its Brunello di Montalcino red wine
while in other parts of Tuscany, Chianti is king
although both are made from the same grape variety
of Sangiovese.
Opposite, clockwise from top left, Abbazia di Sant
Antimo; Montalcino is a hill town in Tuscany surrounded
by wine estates; Montalcino’s skyline is punctuated by
tall church steeples; wines in a bar; enjoy over 100 wines
at Enoteca Franci Previous pages, from left, Panorama
of Montalcino; there are several cellars in the town for
sampling the famous wines of Tuscany.
Montalcino is a great walking destination as it’s
not too undulating and with steps in the steeper parts.
Caution needs to be exercised while walking along
the main thoroughfares as vehicles use the mostly
one-way alleyways. Narrow cobblestone lanes
dominate and the narrower pathways are pedestrian
only. While maps are available of the town and its
roads, Montalcino is a good place to wander with
little chance of getting lost.
The 14th century fortress is the place to start
exploring as it is located on the highest land in the
town where it’s possible to view the various valleys
below. There are several old churches within the
walled town including the Duomo or cathedral near
the main town plaza including a Friday market.
Sant’ Antimo, just 5km from Montalcino, is another
famous abbey where monks used to chant. However,
they became a victim of their own success with
tourists and the religious significance of the chanting
became lost in translation with too many camerabearing
tourists and all that visitors can expect now is
recorded chanting. However, the valley setting is very
scenic making it well worth visiting.
Estate Living
Being an ancient walled town, space is limited and
most of the accommodation in the town itself is in
small hotels and bed and breakfast properties. Some
of the district’s wineries also provide accommodation
but this too is on a small scale.
In Montalcino, families should check into
Residence Palazzo Saloni which is a quaint familyoperated
property with spacious rooms including
some with self-catering facilities. Enjoy comfortable
no-frills accommodation with an excellent buffet
breakfast on the back terrace that affords panoramic
views of the valley.
For grand estate living, stay on the Castello Banfi
wine estate in the 18th century hamlet known as
Il Borgo inside the stone walls and towers of the
Castello. While wine lovers will be especially
attracted to the estate, the accommodation has
universal appeal. Luxurious accommodation is
located either side of the sloping village street which
is ideal for families and children to play. Beautiful
residential hideaways have been sumptuously
appointed by one of Italy’s leading interior designers
to reflect Tuscan country style with all the comforts
of a sophisticated house.
World Travel 113