Friday was vineyard day, and we visited two: One in Montalcino and the other in Montepulciano. The vineyard in Montalcino, although housed in an old estate, was quite new. The enormous oak barrels used for fermentation come from France and can hold thousands of liters of wine. Understanding the process of wine making gives one a whole new appreciation.
The second vineyard in Montepulciano was much more rustic. Same process, different style. The oak barrels are used much longer here and are scraped inside occasionally to extend the life of them. One of he cellars here dates back to 500 BC.
Alfedena AQ 