he viticultural tradition of the region around Siena, as in the rest of Tuscany, dates back to the
Etruscan times with its 2500 years of prestigious history which is still ongoing.
Viticulture is practised on hills where the ground is made of easily erodable material which gives
the landscape its characteristic ondulated and soft shapes.
Tuscany is the kingdom of Sangiovese, a native and famous variety of wine which has enabled the local vinegrowers to become rich and famous. This most cultivated late ripening wine gives good wines only if planted in an ideal position: good exposure, microclimate, insolation and especially altitude. Other native varieties of vines which have spread throughout Italy are Canaiolo, Tuscan Trebbiano, Malvasia or Bianca lunga, Vernaccia and Ansonica.
Among the best known wines is Chianti.Created by the Italian minister Ricasoli, it has been one of the first wines to be appreciated in America; Italian immigrants exported this wine there in the straw-covered flasks which have now become so famous and symbolize the same Chianti all over the world. It is still the wine produced in the largest quantity (909037 hl in the vintage of 1993).
Two other wines famous all over the world are Brunello di Montalcino, considered one of the greatest Italian wines, and the famous Nobile di Montepulciano. Moscadello di Montalcino, the Rosso di Montepulcianoand the Rosso di Montalcino must not be forgotten.
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