Pienza, Montalcino

On Saturday, October 15th, we headed west into Wine Country. We first stopped in Pienza, home of Pecorino Toscana, their famous cheese. It was yet another hill-top, medieval, walled town. We went into a nice wine shop and bought some grappa and 21 year old aceto balsamico.

The Italians waste nothing from the grapes. The dregs and skins are distilled to produce this wonderful aquavit, grappa. Its made from many grapes, but the Muscat seems to the smoothest to my taste.

We went past Montalcino toward Grosetto and arrived at the famous Brunello producer, Poggio Antico at 11h30 for our tour. We were met by a wonderful Italian, Diana, who studied enology at Sonoma State and was very Americanized. We toured for an hour, tasted and learned what went into the Brunello DOCG. 100% Sanghiovese aged 4 years with a minimum of 1 1/2 years in oak. The vines are pruned many times per year to keep the yield down and the grapes concentrated.

We ordered a case of the 1999 Brunello Riserva and even with shipping saved 50%.

We then went to the Ristorante di Poggio Antico, one of the finest in Italy for an outstanding meal.

Then to dinner in nearby Montanare to Locanda del Mulino for local food including the crostini antipasto which was to die for. Could barely finish after our big lunches.