Montepulciano toasts to Francesco Redi in the heart of Renaissance Piazza Grande

“Fair Arianna, with your white hand/pour the manna of Montepulciano/which is the king of all wines”: recalling the celebrated verses written by Francesco Redi in “Bacco in Toscana” - “Bacchus in Tuscany”, his famous dithyramb and the greatest literary tribute to wine-producing Tuscany, the town of Poliziano raises a toast with wine enthusiasts to mark the 400th anniversary of the birth of the distinguished writer and physician who held the highest rank at the Medici Court. The occasion is “Cantine in Piazza” - “Wineries in the Square”, taking place on August 21st in the Renaissance setting of Piazza Grande, where more than 20 producers from Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano will present and offer tastings of their wines to the many tourists who visit the “Pearl of the Renaissance” each year. Symbolically, the celebration continues at the table with the historic food and wine competition “A Tavola con il Nobile” - “At the Table with the Nobile” on August 22nd-23rd, conceived by TG2 journalist Bruno Gambacorta and regarded as a true culinary challenge among the eight districts of the Bravìo delle Botti (August 30th), the historic race between the districts through the streets and noble palaces of the town historic center.
In Montepulciano, the celebrations marking the anniversary No. 400 of the birth of Francesco Redi, born in Arezzo on February 18th, 1626, continue. The program of events, coordinated by the Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, is leading the territory toward the conference “Quando Bacco giunse in Toscana” - “When Bacchus Came to Tuscany”, dedicated to the relationship between science, art, and wine and scheduled for October 9th at the town fortress. This will serve as a prelude to the major exhibition “Wine Culture and Science after Galileo”, running from March 20th to June 27th, 2027. The exhibition will also feature ancient and original books from the WineNews collection. WineNews has likewise dedicated a video to the history of Montepulciano, recounting the connection between Filippo Mazzei, Thomas Jefferson, and wine, and demonstrating how the territory and its wine culture have fostered international relationships since the era of American Independence.
Meanwhile, the town of Vino Nobile is experiencing the most intense days leading up to the Bravìo delle Botti, with a series of events that combine wine, gastronomy, and popular tradition. With “Cantine in Piazza”, wineries from across the area create a large tasting route arranged in a ring around Piazza Grande, where tasting stands are complemented by local specialty products and accompanied by live music. Promoted by Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano in collaboration with the Magistrato delle Contrade, the initiative is one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the Montepulciano summer season.
The edition No. 24 of the food and wine competition “A Tavola con il Nobile” is dedicated to the theme “Slow-Cooked Clay-Pot Cuisine: The Manna of Montepulciano - A Tribute to Francesco Redi”. The districts will be judged by a panel of experts and journalists, with Igles Corelli, renowned chef and well-known figure in Italian cuisine, serving as both ambassador and special juror for the 2026 edition. He is widely appreciated for his commitment to promoting high-quality ingredients and for his philosophy of circular cuisine. At the headquarters of the eight districts, visitors will have the opportunity to sample the competing dishes paired with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Over the years, the competition has contributed to the recovery of 250 traditional local recipes, enhancing the gastronomic heritage handed down by generations of home cooks and preserving the culinary memory of the area. The award ceremony, hosted by Tinto, presenter of “Linea Verde” on Rai 1 and voice of “Decanter” on Radio 2, will take place on August 23rd in the courtyard of the Fortress of Montepulciano, home to Enoliteca and Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The event will coincide with the official unveiling of the Panno del Bravìo delle Botti, a symbolic moment which brings together culture, food and wine, and local identity at the heart of one of the most representative events of Tuscany wine tradition.