Surrounded by bright fields of sunflowers in Italy’s southern Tuscan region of Siena and situated on a limestone ridge (affording it excellent views of the valleys below), lies the quaint town of Montepulciano. Not more than 64 square miles (166 square kilometers), with a current population of about 14,500 people. It is a small town, but it influences the world in a big way.
Perhaps this story might help shed some light:
What was once a man falls in love with a teenage girl. Though, their love was doomed to fail. You see, he was already dead but is cursed with eternal life. And she was just an ordinary high schooler, still alive. They loved each other so much that the former man was willing to sacrifice his eternal life to save her from a clan of haters who did not approve of their love. In the Palazzo Communale within the town center of Montepulciano, he attempts this sacrifice. But ultimately, he was saved. Then the two drinks Montepulciano wine, the best wine in Italy, and their love was secured forever.
Okay, so the story is a bit of fiction. And if in case you have’t already guessed, the Palazzo Communale is the site where Edward (very skinny and pale vampire) of the popular series – Twilight, went to sacrifice himself in the movies to the Volturi (the head vampire clan) to save his beloved, Bella (who should’ve been played by a different actress).
Ultimately, this story is bigger than the building itself. At first glance, its quite unassuming and faces a small central plaza, with a clock that rings loudly every hour. The only clue you might have if you aren’t a “Twi-hard” that this is a special building are the surrounding vendors who will not let you forget that Edward was once here.
As for the wine, I don’t know whether or not Edward or Bella actually drank it. But what I do know I did. And, I can safely say, it is as good as it is reputed to be. One thing to note, however: The Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a red Italian wine made from the Montepulciano wine grape in the Abruzzo region of east-central Italy. It should not be confused by lesser quality wine of similar names. You’ll have no problem finding it on most menus in restaurants as its quite a popular brand in Italy.
Grapes that make Montepulciano wine are red (once ripened) before they are harvested and aged. These grapes in the photo have a long way to go. Luckily they have fertile soil and ever flourishing sunlight to help them grow.
We came here not because we knew of its special building or its delicious wine. Rather, we stumbled upon this town because our driver (who we hired to drive us around Tuscany) told us to get out, walk the town, and he’ll meet us down the hill at the town’s outskirts. Turns out, it was one of the best ideas yet! Even though we did get lost in the process of finding him down the hill.
Another reason our driver told us to walk the town was because cars are not allowed to park in the town center. So if driving here, the only place to park is along its perimeter. But its an easy town to walk, with plenty of old-world character and cool shade from the hot summer sun.
Montepulciano is a typical old Italian town, but with an edge. What separates it from other towns of Italy is that while most embrace their old ways, Montepulciano actually tries to be modern. For example, government sponsored wifi hot spots. Not bad for a medieval town built during the Renaissance.
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For Love and Wine in Montepulciano http://t.co/J5EIZrCs via @sichree23 #travel
Nice tower in Montepulciano and Tuscany, Central Italy!
Even though it was not as big as I expected it, it was indeed still very nice. Thanks!
I have always wondered about Motepulciano. The wine is delicious — but I love even more the sound of the name! I know nothing about the Twilight plots. Thanks for the laugh! Although it sounds waaaay more dramatic than I would have guessed.
Abby recently posted..New York State of Mind
Italian is such a beautiful and pleasant language. Sometimes I just sit at the receiving area of the Venetian (in your lively city) just to listen to the valets singing in Italian while they take the cars. Their voices combined with the language is so great to listen to. They must make tons on tips!
If I hadn’t of read this post, I would have been super confused as to why all the twilight kitcsh!
Jade Johnston – OurOyster.com recently posted..Stories Beat Stuff Competition
Yeah, this is a Twilight destination made even more famous by its delicious wine.
Sherry recently posted..On the Mediterranean Steps
Well, I’m sold. Love anything to do with Twilight. And the wine is an added bonus.
I had this distinct feeling that the Twi-hards are dying. But I guess there are still some out there. This is one of the key romantic places in the series. And their wine is truly an added bonus.
I can’t wait to go back to Tuscany – love the wines from that region and looks like great fun to explore!
Tuscany is one of the only places in Italy that I truly loved and I’m not kidding.
Wine and wifi in an old italian town? Sounds perfect to me.
Christy recently posted..La Jolla Video – So Beautiful, It’s Almost Unreal
Certainly is for me, too. Bring it on again!
For Love and Wine in Montepulciano #Food #Italy #love http://t.co/PxBM3C7t via @sichree23
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Oh to sip one now and watch the sun go down… Ahhh!
Maria recently posted..When a Stranger Calls
You should try it
Love a nice Montepulciano wine. Wouldn’t it be nice if it actually did secure eternal love…
Sophie recently posted..Bridges of the Panama Canal
Then it would become everyone’s wine of choice, I think. Love, however, isn’t so easy.
I love the Montepulciano red wine! So interesting to see the town it came from. I’m truly envious of this spontaneous stop-over. Now I know where to go next time I’m in Tuscany. That clock tower did look very familiar … I still love Twilight.
Yes, well secretly (until someone reads this), I am still a fan of the series, too. The church is actually smaller than how it appeared in the film. But that doesn’t stop people from coming to see it.
Its a good kind of photo…Thanks a lot for sharing with us..
I’m glad you liked the photos.
Lovely post, Sherry. You portray Montepulciano as the kind of place I’d very much like to visit. I can just imagine walking along that narrow street. Love and wine ….very nice.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Loco for XOCO
The feeling you get in the town is actually more romantic than the love story I quoted in my post. There are many charming restaurants in every nook and cranny, all of which (at least the ones I saw) served the Montepulciano wine. I hope you make it out here someday.
Lovely post and great photos Sherry!
Angela recently posted..A trip, a photo – Beach of Canoa Quebrada, Ceará, Brazil
Have you gone out this way? I never would’ve thought to even come here. Its was a great surprise.
Montepulciano sounds like a lovely place. Sounds like they’ve been successful in blending the old with the new.
I never saw Twilight, so I didn’t make the connection.
InsideJourneys recently posted..Italy – The Hub of Showbiz
Well, you are not missing much by not seeing Twilight. It was a fun fad at first, now its just cheesy. But sometimes cheesy is good. I really suggest trying the wine from this area – no regrets.
For Love and Wine in Montepulciano #Food #Italy #love http://t.co/6o59flui via @sichree23 #Travel #Montepulciano
For Love and Wine in Montepulciano #Food #Italy #love http://t.co/cksls75X via @sichree23
Very good photos, Sherry, but very little.
Victor Tribunsky recently posted..Petar I and His Baroque Church
Yeah, but what would motivate you to see it for yourself in person if you can already see all of the town in photos via the Internet?
To see it in a real grace.
Victor Tribunsky recently posted..Petar I and His Baroque Church
Ah, I see. Well I think the best way is to go to Tuscany and see if for yourself. I don’t think you’ll regret it at all. If nothing else, the wine is VERY Good.