Andrea Bacci, an important philosopher and writer in the sixteenth century, describes the area as follows: "on both sides of the Tiber there are festive fields and rich pastures, overlooked by gentle hills which are covered in part with long rows of olive trees and in part with well-kept vineyards."   The Upper Tiber Valley has always been an important resting place for travellers moving from north to south and its gastronomic traditions are particularly linked to what the land has to offer, here more than elsewhere. Herbs, vegetables, legumes, mushrooms, meat, the products of this area are countless in variety and seasonality. Wine has always been an important part of the local gastronomy. The typical grapes of the area are Grechetto, Trebbiano and Sangiovese, which have been joined in the last two decades by some international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.