The Magpie's Guide to Montalcino

Montalcino is a small town in the heart of postcard Tuscany. The local population is just over 5.000 people but the town welcomes more than 200.000 visitors a year. Give or take some sporting events, mostly involving bicycles, tourism is driven largely by the wine produced here, and only here; Brunello di Montalcino D.O.C.G. 

As well as being a destination for winelovers, Montalcino is first and foremost a proud community with an entrenched love of liberty. 

The Magpie’s Guide to Montalcino is written by an expert insider. Laura R. Gray has lived in and near Montalcino since 1995 and has always been involved in the wine industry. 

Over 300 entries range from winemaking terms and practices, etymology, cultural anthropology, town history and peculiar facts. From Assedio to Zappa, via Quintale and Millerandage, this is an eclectic guide to Montalcino and its prestigious wine.

The foreword is by Italy’s first Master of Wine, Gabriele Gorelli. Gabriele, a star in the wine world, was born in Montalcino and is a permanent resident of the town.