Calici diStelle: all you need to know about the longest night of Montepulciano's Summer

PREVIEWS AND USEFUL INFO ABOUT THE COMING EDITION OF CALICI DI STELLE 2018.

August 10th, in Montepulciano, is not simply the Saint Lawrence Night. In fact, the falling stars are the setting for one of the most awaited wine-and-food events in the year: Calici di Stelle in Montepulciano.

Actually, the real stars of the evening are the wineries producing Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG and Vino Rosso di Montepulciano DOC, and that’s not all. To make the atmosphere of this summer day even more magical, there will be the beauty of the town of Montepulciano, where a nice refreshing breeze always blows, not to mention the concerts, dinners in the town’s districts (the first ones in the year), live shows, and high-quality wine.

If you would like to visit Montepulciano, do not miss the opportunity to take part in the guided walking tours through the historic center organized by Valdichiana Living, starting from Piazza Grande at 11:00 am, at 3:00 pm, and at 5:00 pm (duration 1 hour and 30). For a price of just € 7.00, you will have a possibility to get acquainted with Montepulciano from the historical artistic point of view, as well as to discover the deep bond that has existed for centuries between this town and its wine, visiting two underground cellars where the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano “ages” in gigantic oak barrels. Reservations are already open, and you can pay directly on departure (click here for all info).

The early afternoon will feature the opening of the arts and antiques market in Via Ricci, followed by the first magic show for children and adults by “Elena the Illusionist” (second show scheduled at 9.00 pm) at Piazza delle Erbe; then, the performance of the Montepulciano’s Bravìo delle Botti flag-wavers and drummer group, which will start at 6:30 pm from the Marzocco Statue.

From 6.00 pm, the event will be really getting going: at Porta al Prato, in front of the Church of St. Augustine, and in Piazza Grande, it will be possible to buy the star-shaped coupon for € 12.00 (including 3 tastings of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG and 2 tastings of Vino Rosso di Montepulciano DOC) and pick up a glass, a glass carrier, and a map. The first tastings, by the Sommeliers registered in the FISAR [Italian Association of Sommeliers, Hoteliers and Restaurateurs], will be served at the tasting tables set up in front of the Church of St. Augustine, and in Piazza Grande.

Starting from 7:00 pm, tastings will be also available at the headquarters of the 8 Contrade[Town’s Districts] of the Bravìo delle Botti, where you will also have the possibility to have a dinner based on typical products of the Valdichiana Senese, paired with a bottle of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG or Vino Rosso di Montepulciano DOC (or both of them!).

However, the celebration has just begun! From 9:00 pm, live music in front of the Church of St. Augustine, at the Piazzetta di Cagnano, at the entrance to Palazzo Cervini, and in Via di Collazzi. From 10.00 pm, concerts also in Piazza Grande.

And if you do not want to miss the spectacle of falling stars, you can watch the sky sitting on the lawn of the Temple of San Biagio, led by the staff of the Montepulciano’s Planetarium; by the way, during this special night, do not miss the opportunity to visit this beautiful Renaissance church, exceptionally open until midnight, on the occasion of its five hundredth anniversary.