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HILLS
>> CRETE
SIENESE
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INTRODUCTION
The itinerary which goes from Siena to the Abbazia di Sant'Antimo
passing Montalcino crosses suggestive landscapes which will be hard
to forget.
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This
part of the landscape is one of the most photographed ones in Tuscany,
both for the originality of the landscape and for the presence of
historical and architectural buildings. The first part of the itinerary
crosses the heart of the Le Crete, a moon and sand landscape, with
a magnetic fascination perfectly described by the poet Mario Luzi,
and able to give emotions even for a visitor without the literature
vein. The characteristic of this area is the grey colour which features
different shades and reflexes according to the time of the day and
the season. The yellow shade at dusk and the white light of the summer
colour the grey clay tenderly. A vast area which features little vegetation
and deep gullies here and there. The visitor who are interested in
handicraft will find many terracotta workshops, where the artisans
work the clay according to the traditional techniques which in other
places have been abandoned for a more modern technology.
In the surroundings of the bare area of Le Crete you find green
pastures, sunflower fields which in the summer make the scenery even
more brilliant, and wheat fields which in the spring feature a green
colour. The vineyards dominate the landscape around Montalcino, famous
in the whole world for the excellent quality of its wines. Everywhere
you find medieval villages, cottages, churches and fortified castles,
which represent the history and the architecture of man. The landscape
of the Sienese area which from Le Crete reaches Montalcino is probably
among the most fascinating ones of Italy, sweet and suggestive, embellished
with buildings by man who has always loved, protected and enhanced
it with sober architecture harmonically set in the natural scenery.
The balance is a characteristic of this part of Tuscany, where the
healthy and long-seeing relationship between man and nature produces
excellent agricultural products, first of all the wines, but also
other specialities which can be tasted in the restaurants and inns
in the small villages.
The pecorino cheese from Le Crete is produced with the famous
milk of Asciano, from the free-breeding sheep. The bare land only
features aromatic bushes which give the cheese its special flagrancy
and taste and can be eaten fresh or matured. In Le Crete you also
find the precious white truffle, which grows along the water-springs.
In the area you can also collect other types of truffle, such as the
black truffle and the best truffle market is located in San Giovanni
d'Asso. Another typical product is the artichoke of Chiusure which
grows thanks to the unique micro-climate of the area, particularly
suited for the horticulture. Do not miss the honey produced in Montalcino,
where the hill fields offer a vast selection of flagrant flowers and
aromatic essences. The wine Brunello di Montalcino does not need a
presentation, as it is one of the best wines in the world. Also try
the excellent Grappa produced with the Brunello grapes. |
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