"The essence of Southern Spain" Montilla by Miguel_Marques

Montilla, (23.000, 40 km to the souh of Cordoba on the Córdoba-Málaga road) is located in the province of Córdoba in Andalusia. It´s surrounded of hilly "campiñas" where grapes, wheat and olive trees are cultivated. Its origin dates back to Roman times. In the fields surrounding old Munda Julius Caesar defeated his ennemy for the control of the Roman Empire, Pompeius.

Wines of Montilla

These are excellent fine wines. Similar to those of Sherry, there is a complete range of white wines: fresh musts, dry pales, creams and sturdy sweet dark Sherry style wine (amontillado, palo cortao). Pedro Ximénez is the distinctive brewing grape of the area. Wine has been made in Montilla since Roman times, as shown in some mosaics found in the area.
Just enjoy them before lunch or at night (the pales) or at mid-afternoon, after lunch (the sherries).

Montilla is the birthplace of many famous Spaniards. Probably the most famous of them is Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, El Gran Capitán ("The Great Captain"), probably the greatest general of the Modern Age in Europe who conquered the Kingdom of Naples for Emperor Charles I, starting the Spanish Empire in Europe and America. Miguel de Cervantes lived in Montilla and here he set the story of "Coloquio de los Perros". San Francisco Solano, the most important evangelizer of South America, was born in Montilla. San Juan de Ávila lived here (you still can visit his house). And el Inca Garcilaso de la Vega (don´t mistake him for Garcilaso de la Vega, a Spanish poet) was the first American-born poet and intellectual in Spanish language. He was born in Cuzco and lived for many years in Montilla, in the mansion that today houses the Municipal Tourist Office

• In a nutshell:Calm history, beautiful streets, great eating, godly wine!