Travel Tips: Montalcino, Italy

Continuing the debriefing from our Italian honeymoon, we move on to Montalcino. In the heart of Tuscany, Montalcino is the home of the Brunello di Montalcino wine region, one of the holiest destinations in the wine world. We were there the year they released the 1997 Brunellos - the best vintage in a generation. We enjoyed some wonderful wine and managed to get a few bottles home for our cellar. Tuscany is also a fabulous food experience and these were our favorites.

Osteria di Porta al Cassero ... In Montalcino a block from the fort. We had two meals here it was so good. Real Tuscan food (as far as us tourists know).

Trattoria Sciame ... Down the street from di Porta al Cassero.

Il Giglio ... In a hotel a block "below" pza Garibaldi in Montalcino. A little more expensive than the above but we had fantastic Florentine steak and brunello risotto there.

Tip we wish we had gotten before the trip: Castello Banfi is a great winery tour, but we wouldn't know - you need to make reservations well in advance.

Salute.

- UTalkinToMe?, Senior Food and Wine Editor