Italy is a fascinating and diverse country, home to famous wines such as Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino, as well as many others that have gone into obscurity after their glory days. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Tuscany, Italy is one such Italian wine with a long history and a deep connection to this land, which is well worth exploring for curious wine lovers.
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Noble Montepulciano wines are produced in montepulciano, a picturesque hillside town located near the southern borders of Montalcino, Pienza and Chianti Classico. Noble Montebucciano is usually more structured and deeper than the classic Chianti, but not as ornate as Brunello.
Over the past three decades or so, local brewers have taken radical extractions for commercial purposes, blindly pursuing oak flavors and cosmopolitan styles, as has been the case in other nearby producing regions. In recent years, however, brewers here have changed their approach and focused on showing the natural purity and expressiveness of Sangiovese (known locally as Prugnolo Gentile).
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As early as 1980, Noble Montepulciano became the first Italian wine to be awarded the denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) grade. But its history goes far beyond that, with records of noble Montebucciano dating back to the 8th century. Later, in 1685, the writer Francesco Redi also praised the wine in his famous poem Bacco di Toscana. In addition, Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1816: "I am now short of only some excellent noble Monteprano wines... This is a wine I love very much, and its gentle yet flavour has become a necessity in my life. ”
Noble Montebucciano DOCG appellation number (Image: consorziovinonobile.it)
Noble Montebucciano wines must use not less than 70% Sangiovese grapes, and another 30% can use other indigenous Tuscan grape varieties. The legal total aging time is 2 years, and the brewer can choose the following 3 aging methods: 24 months in oak barrels; Aged in oak barrels for at least 18 months, the rest of the time in other containers; Aged in oak barrels for at least 12 months, bottles for at least 6 months, and the rest of the time in other containers.
Most of the wineries' product lines start with the entry-level Rosso di Montepulciano, a red wine based on Sangiovese, similar to Rosso di Montalcino, the best Montebucciano red wines with a large number of Sangiovese grape characteristics, medium body structure and good ageing value.
Wine cellars of Avenonis Winery (Image: aziendeconsorziovinonobile.it)
Next up is the noble Montebucciano wine, a noble montebucciano in a single vineyard that was once rare but has increased in recent years, and in general, it is a positive trend to highlight the terroir personality of a particular plot. Some winemakers also produce the noble Montepulciano Roserva (Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva). In terms of brewing methods, the tendency to re-oak barrel style still exists, but it is less common than in previous years.
In addition to Montepulciano red wines and noble Montebucciano red wines, the appellation also produces the legendary Montepulciano DOC, Tuscany, Italy), a sweet white wine made from locally dried white grapes.
There are currently 77 winemakers in the appellation, including the famous Avignonesi, whose 2001 Avignonesi Occhio di Pernice Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC, Tuscany, Italy was praised by the Robert Parker Team.