Eating & Drinking
Monteriggioni is made for hearty eating, helped by its closeness to both the Chianti and San Gimignano. As a result, the area abounds in homely inns, even if only a few are within the walls, and the rest dotted around neighbouring hamlets. For fine dining or greater sophistication, be prepared to drive just north to Colle di Val d’Elsa. The Monteriggioni borgo is best seen first thing in the morning, when you can enjoy a coffee on the main square before the coach parties arrive. The local cooking is a familiar interpretation of classic Tuscan cooking, with borrowings from nearby Siena and the Chianti. Look out for ribollita, a thick bean soup, or pasta dishes including such stalwarts as pappardelle di lepre (pasta ribbons in hare sauce) or the same pasta with wild boar (cinghiale). As for wine, the Chianti Colli Senesi is the biggest Chianti zone, embracing this area, San Gimignano, Colle di Val d'Elsa and Siena. This fresh young red wine goes well with cured meats, such as cinta senese, as well as with bruschetta, soups, mushroom sauces, game, grilled and roast meats, plus most cheeses and cured meats.
