Montepulciano

Perched high on a hilltop, Montepulciano is made up of a cluster of Renaissance buildings set within a circle of cypress trees. At an altitude of almost 2,000 feet, it's cool in summer and chilled in winter by biting winds that sweep the spiraling streets. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a robust red wine, is justifiably the town's greatest claim to fame. You can sample it in various wineshops and bars lining the twisting roads, as well as in most restaurants. The town is 13 km (8 mi) west of the A1 highway.