Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Moderate continental, Mediterranean-influenced
Sangiovese from the hills around a Renaissance hill town in south-east Tuscany, one of Italy's first DOCGs.
Overview
About Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Montepulciano is a hill town in south-east Tuscany, standing at around 600 metres above the Valdichiana. Its wine, Vino Nobile, is made mainly from Sangiovese, known locally as Prugnolo Gentile, with a smaller share of other grapes. It was among the first wines granted DOCG status, in 1980. It should not be confused with Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, a different wine made from the Montepulciano grape in Abruzzo.
Vino Nobile sits between Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino in weight: usually more structured than Chianti, with dark cherry fruit, dried herbs and firm tannins, but generally less severe than Brunello. The rules require at least two years of ageing, and three for a Riserva.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is marked on the map.
Italy
Shaded: Siena. Map units are states, provinces or départements, so a smaller place appears as the larger area that contains it.
The land
Climate & terroir
Climate
Moderate continental, Mediterranean-influenced
Warm summers with cool nights on the hillsides, and lower rainfall than the Chianti hills to the north. Altitude, from about 250 to 600 metres, has a strong effect on when the grapes ripen.
Terroir & soils
What the vines grow in
Marine sands and clay over ancient sea deposits on the slopes, with limestone in places. Sandier soils give lighter, more perfumed wines, while clay-rich sites give darker, firmer ones.
Go deeper
Rules, years & producers
Vino Nobile is a DOCG built on Sangiovese, with a longer-aged Riserva above it and a simpler DOC, Rosso di Montepulciano, below.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva
At least three years' ageing before release.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
At least 70% Sangiovese (Prugnolo Gentile); at least two years' ageing.
Rosso di Montepulciano DOC
A younger, lighter red from the same area, made for earlier drinking.
What's grown here
Grapes
Each grape's page links back here.