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    Travel » Italy » Tuscany

    Brunello, Pecorino, and a Church on a Farm

    Published: Oct 16, 2011 · Modified: Mar 22, 2022 by Marissa Stevens · 7 Comments

    All night wind whips the stone walls of Casina di Rosa; it raps at the windows, it rattles the shutters. In the morning, clear skies and sunshine come to replace it, but the wind is reluctant to leave.

    Despite the bluster, we have a day trip in mind.

    drive-to-montalcino

    We want to see more of Tuscany: Montalcino, famous for Brunello di Montalcino, Pienza, a World Heritage Site, also known for delicious Pecorino cheese, and The Abbey of Sant'Antimo, famous for its unique beauty.

    tuscan-countryside

    We arrive in Montalcino in time for lunch. At Enoteca La Fortezza, we enjoy a plate of local cheeses and cured meats with a tasting of 5 Brunellos. We sip a selection from affordable to extravagant.

    brunello-at-montalcino

    montalcino-italy

    marissa-in-montalcino

    montalcino-church

    keith-enjoying-brunello

    By mid-afternoon it's on to Pienza. Here, we sample Pecorino: fresh, aged, with truffle, with walnut. We're smitten with the Ercolani shop - the family makes everything! We leave with a bag full of treasures: aged pecorino, wild boar sausage, Vin Santo, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, truffle honey, pici pasta.

    view-from-montalcino

    keith-in-archway

    montalcino-thing

    montalcino-church-2

    montalcino-church-window

    montalcino-church-doorway

    montalcino-walking-path

    montalcino-italy-path

    On the drive home, we make a short detour to see Sant'Antimo. It acsends from a canvas of tilled soil, Cypress, and olive trees - magnificent in the setting sun. Inside, the ceiling beams are natural wood, the soaring porticoes gray stone, the windows clear glass. The crypt door is open; it feels eerie to walk down the stairs.

    sant-antimo-italy

    sant-antimo-italy-2

    sant-antimo-italy-3

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    sant-antimo-italy-5

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    sant-antimo-italy-7

    sant-antimo-italy-8

    For taste of Italy, try one of these authentic Italian dishes:

    Italian Meatballs

    Bolognese Sauce

    Pasta e Fagioli

    Italian Pasta Salad

    Italian Chopped Salad

    Pasta Aglio e Olio

    More Tuscany

    • Ragu Sauce
    • Of Windsurfers and Castle Ruins
    • Update on Charlie
    • A Day, both Wonderful and Sad

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Toni says

      October 18, 2011 at 2:55 am

      Visiting Italy through your eyes is so much fun!

      Reply
    2. Francesca Muir says

      October 17, 2011 at 8:56 am

      Marissa what a sublime blog - I love following you - I feel as though I am there.
      Thank you
      Francesca

      Reply
      • marissa says

        October 17, 2011 at 9:55 am

        How kind of you Francesca! I'm glad you're here. ~Marissa

        Reply
    3. Tim says

      October 16, 2011 at 4:56 pm

      Looks like classic Tuscany. Its also been very windy here in Piedmont over the weekend too, winter is coming, but no rain yet!

      Reply
      • marissa says

        October 16, 2011 at 8:01 pm

        No rain here either - but tonight black clouds threaten...hard to believe it's mid October already!

        Reply
    4. jgk says

      October 16, 2011 at 4:01 pm

      I am SO enjoying your lovely trip! thanks for keeping up with the blog.

      Reply
      • marissa says

        October 16, 2011 at 8:00 pm

        Thanks JGK - sharing makes it more fun for us...

        Reply

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