Wow, two blog posts in a day! Tour guide Cindy has me jumping! Montalcino is a very, very old city. It’s only 40 km from the coast of Italy and from the fortress above they could see invaders coming and warn Montepulciano. Got all that👊Montalcino was once a thriving leather working village, but invasions and the Black Plague almost wiped out the population in the 1200’s. Inside the fortress.View of the castle from a street lined with wine shops.There’s not a lot left except WINE! Duomo, used very seldom. Spectacular at one time.Ok, about 15km down the road is the real reason we’re here, Castello Giocondo and the famous Brunello wine!
In Tuscany, there are some famous wines.
Chianti, Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the big daddy, Brunello di Montalcino.
Castello Giocondo is the sister winery to Castello Nipozzano, which we visited last week.
Before we go any further, a little Italian wine trivia. Tuscany has been producing wine since 8,000 BC. It’s one of the world’s greatest and first wine producing areas.
Italy is by far the largest producer of vino in the world. Over 19% of the world’s wine is produced in Italy. The USA only produces 1/2 the wine Italy does. However, in the 60’s and 70’s the Italians let the quality of the wine slip. That’s why you see so many classifications now. They are really trying to produce quality wines (and charge you for them).
Most Italians drink bulk or box wine. The bottles get exported to you rich people around the world 😜
Wine tasting room. It’s not in the castle like Nipozzano, but it’ll do.Tour guide Cindy and our hostess, Valentina.Very high end wines, all big reds. Beautiful winery.Fantastic tour, very educational and now a little tasting and lunch!Wonderful day, we’re off to Rome tomorrow!
All beautiful and looks like you and Cindi are having so much fun. I am curious. How is your Italian? You are visiting so many smaller towns and villages. Do many folks speak some English or do you need to use an app like Google translate?
Trafton’s European Adventure Part Two 
Very nice — 19% of the wine produced is from Italy and the reds are the best
Looking forward to your Rome tour.
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👊
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All beautiful and looks like you and Cindi are having so much fun. I am curious. How is your Italian? You are visiting so many smaller towns and villages. Do many folks speak some English or do you need to use an app like Google translate?
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We can communicate, most folks speak a little English
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
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Thanks for sharing the good times!!!
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👍
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