Val d'Orcia

The Val d'Orcia or Valdorcia (Italian pronunciation: [valˈdortʃa]) is a region of Tuscany, central Italy, which extends from the hills south of Siena to Monte Amiata. Its gentle, cultivated hills are occasionally broken by gullies and by picturesque towns and villages such as Pienza (rebuilt as an "ideal town" in the 15th century under the patronage of Pope Pius II),[1] Radicofani (home to the notorious brigand-hero Ghino di Tacco) and Montalcino (the Brunello di Montalcino is counted among the most prestigious of Italian wines).[2] Its landscape has been depicted in works of art from Renaissance painting to modern photography.

Val d'Orcia
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Typical landscape of the Val d'Orcia
LocationProvince of Siena, Tuscany, Italy
CriteriaCultural: (iv), (vi)
Reference1026rev
Inscription2004 (28th session)
Area61,188 ha (151,200 acres)
Buffer zone5,660 ha (14,000 acres)
Websitewww.parcodellavaldorcia.com/en/
Coordinates43°04′N 11°33′E
Location of Val d'Orcia in Tuscany
Val d'Orcia (Italy)

World Heritage Site

In 2004 the Val d'Orcia was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.[3]

Val d'Orcia with Monte Amiata, view to the west from La Foce

Orcia DOC
Sangiovese vineyards in the Val D'Orcia, Monte Amiata in the background.

Within the Val d'Orcia is a strip of land following the Orcia river between the DOCG zones of Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Here Sangiovese and Trebbiano-based wines are produced under the Orcia Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) status.

The DOC red wine is composed of at least 60 percent Sangiovese with other local varieties, such as Abrusco, permitted to fill in the remainder of the blend. The dry white wine and Vin Santo style DOC wines are composed of at least 50 percent Trebbiano filled out with other local varieties. All grapes destined for DOC wine production are limited to a maximum harvest yield of 10 tonnes/hectare, with the finished wines required to have a minimum alcohol level of at least 12 percent.[4]

Historic railways heritage site

Val d'Orcia is crossed by a 19th-century railway, whose tracks, stations and tunnels have been restored to working order. The scenic line connects the small town of Asciano with Monte Antico, for tourism purposes, using historic steam engines and carriages.[5]

Film locations

Val d'Orcia has been a location for many well-known films, including:

The book War in Val d'Orcia by Iris Origo is a detailed, first-hand account of the World War II events of 1943–1944 in the region, written as a diary in English.[6]

References
  1. Haegen, Anne Mueller von der; Strasser, Ruth F. (2013). "Pienza". Art & Architecture: Tuscany. Potsdam: H.F.Ullmann Publishing. pp. 394–395. ISBN 978-3-8480-0321-1. Retrieved 18 May 20119.]
  2. Discusses vintages etc. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  3. Nomination document Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  4. Saunders, Peter Lionel (2004). Wine label language. Firefly Books Ltd. p. 188. ISBN 978-1-55297-720-0.
  5. Tourism guide Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  6. Iris Margaret Origo, Marchioness: War in Val d'Orcia. A Diary (London: Jonathan Cape, 1947 (British Library details).
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