VAL D’ORCIA:
ITALY’S MOST BEAUTIFUL WINE REGION YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF
The Parco della Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Tucked between the DOCG giants of Montalcino and Montepulciano along the Orcia River, Val d’Orcia is a remote wine region in southern Tuscany. The Parco della Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, is breathtaking for its craggy cliffs (calledcalanchi) dotted with castles, abbeys, farms and fortresses. This area is also a wellness destination with several natural thermal springs where visitors can unwind after a day of hiking or meandering the crooked streets of near-empty medieval villages.
Regulations
Orcia DOC red wines must contain 90 percent Sangiovese. The other native red grapes that may be used include Canaiolo Nero, Colorino, Ciliegiolo, Foglia Tonda, Pugnitello and Malvasia Nera. Some wineries also blend in Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Rosso wines must be aged a minimum of 12 to 24 months in oak, and Riserva wines a minimum of 24 to 30 months. The region also produces small amounts of Orcia Rosé, made from 60 percent minimum Sangiovese, and Orcia Bianco, made from 50 percent minimum Trebbiano blended with other white aromatic grapes. Most vintners farm organically.
Brunello
The name Brunello was given to what was believed to be a grape variety. In 1879 the Ampelographic Commission of the Province of Siena determined that Sangiovese and Brunello were the same grape variety. In Montalcino the name Brunello was therefore transformed into the description of the wine produced with Sangiovese grapes.
The production area is bordered by the valleys of the three rivers Orcia, Asso and Ombrone. It takes on an almost square shape, whose sides measure an average of 15 kilometers. Now all that remains is to make a tasting of Brunello di Montalcino.
The Orcia Wine Trail runs through the municipalities of Abbadia San Salvatore, Buonconvento Castiglione d’Orcia, Castel Del Piano, Chianciano Terme, Montalcino, Pienza, Radicofani, San Casciano dei Bagni, San Giovanni d’Asso, San Quirico d’Orcia, Sarteano, Torrita di Siena and Trequanda. The territory is characterized by rolling hills, the Crete, cereal and olive cultivation and, of course, wineries.
The oak and chestnut forests bestow aromatic mushrooms and chestnuts, the latter of which is used to produce tasty flour, which in turn is used to make various dishes. Sheep have been reared in these parts for decades, useful for meat and milk production, the latter of which is used to make Pecorino Toscano DOP.
Amongst the typical products, the most exquisite and famous are the cold cuts, with their sublime and delicate flavour. Others include pecorino from Pienza, chestnuts and mushrooms from Monte Amiata, the renowned Crete Senesi Truffle and unique products like cinta senese and saffron, which has only recently been rediscovered by smaller producers.
Naturally, the Orcia Wine DOC, produced in the aforementioned area and made from Sangiovese and Tuscan Trebbiano; besides the classic Orcia Rosso, either white or red wines can be produced, also as Novello and Vin Santo, a traditional sweet wine.
Another excellent product from this area is the extra-virgin olive oil (certified Terre di Siena DOP), made by cold pressing moraiolo, frantoio and leccino varieties of olives; the oil vaunts a fruity aroma and a bitter, slightly spicy taste.
