Montepulciano Italy

Montepulciano Italy

On a hilltop surrounded by miles and miles of grape vines sits the medieval town Montepulciano. This is Tuscany and the heart Italian wine country.

Montepulciano Italy

Montepulciano Italy

The entrance to the town is this archway. As is typical of Italian hilltop towns of this era a large wall surrounds the entire town.

Montepulciano Italy

Once you enter the town the narrow streets wind up and down the hill offering up cafes, restaurants, shops, and of course wine and cheese shops.

Montepulciano Italy

Tourists and local stroll the streets. Cars are only permitted for deliveries and the locals so the town offers a quiet relaxed atmosphere.

Montepulciano Italy

Wine and cheeses of every variety can be sampled and purchased. Just ask for a taste of cheese and you won't be able to resist buying some to go.

Montepulciano Italy

Typical of the wine and cheese shops everything is out on display inside of shops that have been in business for hundreds of years.

Montepulciano Italy

Cheese can be purchased in any quantity.

Montepulciano Italy

A variety of Italian cheese sit and age on the shelves. The smell of the cheeses give every shop an odor that is very unique but mouth watering.

Montepulciano Italy

Casks of wine in every size age the contents to perfection.

Montepulciano Italy

Cheeses and percorino make for a great combination. Pecorino is boar meat. It's a staple here in Italy and is excellent when paired with bread, olive oil, and cheese.

Montepulciano Italy

The narrow streets lead up to the homes of the locals. It's such a treat to walk off the beaten path and see how people live in the old town. This illustrates how the old building needed an extra brace at some point to strengthen the walls.

Montepulciano Italy

Only the locals may drive in the town center. Here a  vintage Fiat 500 comes up the street. It's small size make it a perfect fit for downtown living in the old town.

Montepulciano Italy

Montepulciano Italy

Caravaggio was a great painter and his art lives on here in Montepulciano as well as many museums around Italy. His most famous art works are on display in the Galleria Borghese in Rome and when you visit Rome the Borghese Museum is a must.

Montepulciano Italy

Be sure to bring an appetite when you visit Montepulciano and don't be shy about trying everything. We purchased some cheeses and a bottle of wine and took it with us on our journey. Later we had a great little picnic when we bought some bread to go with the cheese and ate and drank until the cheese was gone. It's those meals that are some of the best we had in Italy!

Montepulciano Italy

Montepulciano Italy

Montepulciano Italy

Montepulciano Italy

Shoe planters?

Cheeses Aging - Montepulciano Italy

You must make Montepulciano a stop on your trip. A couple of hours is all you will need to see the town and taste the food but the time will be well spent. It's these little hilltop towns that really take you back in time.