On the main street in Montalcino is Osteria Osticcio. Owned and run by affable Tullio Scrivani, and his sparkly-eyed wife Francesca this is an incredibly well-stocked enoteca with a definite preference for organic and natural wines. They also serve beautifully presented meals in front of a windowful of Montalcino rooftops and the hills of the Val D’Orcia in the far distance. The view alone would be reason enough to recommend this place but it also has great wines by the glass and by the bottle, informed staff and delicious carefully sourced primary ingredients. If you would like to feast your eyes on Tuscany with a platter of cheese (and not just Pecorino, a rarity in this area) and a great glass of Brunello, this is the place to go. No insinuations about their service times but Osteria Osticcio is wasted on those after a quick bite. It is a place for savouring  food, wine and ambience. An example: if you order coffee you receive your own personal mocha and a cup of hand-whipped coffee cream (made in the Neapolitan way, sugar beaten up with the first percolated drops of coffee) and a couple of hand-made chocolates. There should always be time for this kind of experience.

ENOTECA OSTERIA OSTICCIOV ia Matteotti, 23  53024 Montalcino (SI) Tel.+39 0577 848271   Fax+390577846907 osticcio@osticcio.com Open every day from 11 to 23. (*Thursday early closing at 20).