The Illustrious Vino Nobile, ”the perfect wine, of noble men”, is a crossroads in Tuscany
The charming city of Montepulciano is spread out along the ridge of a hillside, overlooking hectares of vineyards, the very same that produce the renowned red wine Vino Nobile. The landscape, the rich history, the colorful traditions and of course the wine make this an area that should be on every wine lovers itinerary.
The disposition of the town creates an altitude difference of over 60 meters and it is this notable ascent that gives the town of Montepulciano one of its more important characteristic: underground wine cellars. But it also means, from the base of the hill to the main square, the climb up to the main street is quite the workout!
Together with its fame for stunning landscape with rich fertile land producing excellent vineyards and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, this area is the perfect visit combining charm, character, and flavor.
How to Get Here
Coming from Florence, exit at Valdichiana and in less than 20 km (following SP327 and in Pelose, turn to the left and pick up SP135) you are in Montepulciano.
If you are coming from Rome, then exit at Chiusi-Chianciano T. and in 21 km, following the SP146, you are at the doors of Montepulciano.
However, many come towards Montepulciano from Siena, after a visit to Pienza. In only 15 km, following the panoramic SP146 east you will find yourself climbing the hill for Montepulciano.
Suggested parking is P8 (Via dei Filosofi, 53045) or P7 (Via dell'Oriolo, 53045) are fairly close to the city center.
Set on the main roads heading north and south (Arezzo / Chiusi) and east/west (Val d’Orcia / Lago Trasimeno), Montepulciano has always commanded quite a bit of power from the earliest of times. However, its growth and wealth were heavily dependent on the expansion in the valley, unfortunately, the infested waters often left the area reeling with malaria and other water-related diseases.
When peace was established between Florence and Siena, like many other towns, Montepulciano lost its importance as a military stronghold and started to decline, it took the Medici family's intervention to reclaim the swamp land to put it back on the road to fame and fortune. As soon as the area was reclaimed and the water was drained it took off once more.
Today a walk around Montepulciano is a walk through time, with spectacular villas, narrow roads, spectacular views, and antique cantinas. For a special treat, visit the town during the Bravio, and it's folkloristic barrel races through the city streets.
Read this article for a virtual tour of Montepulciano.
Montepulciano Nobile, of all Wines, is the King
The base is the same grape that you will find in Chianti Classico, Orcia DOC and in Brunello di Montalcino: Sangiovese, called “Prugnolo Gentile”.
And with this, the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOC became one of the first Italian wines to obtain recognition with the title denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) on the 12th July 1966.
And not only: it was the first wine in Italy to receive the “denominazione di origine controllata e garantita” (DOCG) that decreed it one of the best wines Tuscany on July 1, 1980.
In addition to this prestigious wine, Montepulciano also claims: Rosso di Montepulciano DOC, Bianco Vergine della Valdichiana DOC, Chianti Colli Senesi DOC and Vin Santo DOC.
The very name of the wine stems from years of recognition by poets and nobility such as ”the perfect wine, of noble men” and “of all wines, is the king”. Some say that the name “vino nobile” derives from these very comments but history shows that Adamo Fanetti was the first to call wine with this name.
After the presentation of the family production, after it won prestigious awards in th 1930's (a gold medal at Grand Prix in Paris, Lubiana and Milano) the name noble wine seemed to be more than appropriate for this combination of grapes and the aging process.
Disciplinary for the Vino Nobile Wines
The “rules” behind this great wine (Vino Nobile di Montepulciano) are precise, and one of the foundations of the great flavour in the wine, other elements to take into consideration when talking about wine is the terroir, barrels used for aging and the blends.
- grape variety: Sangiovese, called “Prugnolo Gentile” at Montepulciano, minimum 70% may be joined up to 30% by other varieties authorized for the Tuscany Region
- maximum permitted yield per hectare is 80 quintals with an effective yield in wine of 70%
- the wine can only be sold after ageing for two years (three for the Riserva) and in any case after passing a series of chemical and organoleptic tests carried out by a ministerial board.
- vinification and ageing must by law take place in the municipal area of Montepulciano
Particular to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is the aging process for at least two years starting on the 1st of January after the harvest. The producer can choose between 24 months in wood 18 months minimum in wood and the rest f the time in another type of container 12 months minimum in wood plus 6 months (minimum) in a bottle and the rest f the time in another type of container.
What to Expect When you Savor the Wine
The vino nobile of Montepulciano has a deep ruby red which with aging changes to a garnet-color. The wine is full-bodied, with an intense bouquet characterized as ethereal with hints of amarena, blackberry and forest fruits, plums, cherries, olives, floral scents of violet, herbaceous and earthy notes. It has a fresh crisp flavor in the mouth and the tannins are pronounced, but smooth after the aging process.
Where to go Wine Tasting
If you're interested in wine tasting in town as part of a group tour, take a look at these offerings while if you're looking to do wine and food tours in the area WITH NO DRIVING on your part, take a look at the many options here.
Montepulciano offers a truly unique experience in Tuscany when one talks about “wine tasting.” Instead of taking the car and driving from one panoramic vineyard to another, you can simply wander the medieval streets of this borgo, where you can find several of the historic cantinas where the wines are aged. These wine cellars are built underneath the city and provide a suggestive setting for tasting the “bontà” of this area in Tuscany. Read our article on how to take or ship some of these great flavors home.
Here is a brief list of some of our favorites both in and outside of the city walls:
Cantine Fanetti
The father of Vino Nobile opens its cantina all year round. A visit to where it all began, where they still use traditional methods to create their wines. Three generations with award-winning wines. Stop and see where it all began.
Villa S. Anna
An all women team producing spectacular wines just outside of Montepulciano. They are dedicated “to improving their wines, planting new vineyards at a high density of plants per hectare, replacing barrels and barriques at the appropriate time, and taking scrupulous care of the centuries-old underground cellars where all the wines are aged at natural temperatures.”
Salcheto
A distinct modern touch both in the image, the grounds, and architecture and in the production style. An organic and biodynamic winery, in the district of Vino Nobile, in the southeast of the province of Siena, in Tuscany. The name comes from the trees called Salice (willow trees), which are an important component in the flavor of these wines. These trees, are replanted also to create biomass energy that contributes to the autonomy of the wine cellar and their commitment to environmental sustainability.
Icario
A relatively young vineyard which attempts to combine the rich traditions of the area with progress and the “novità” of today.
At first glance, the solid Icarius building evokes harmony between modernity and tradition. The vineyard fits naturally into the landscape, with stones, light, attention to every detail, the love for nature and grapes.
Montemercurio
They believe it's not just enough to have a good wine - it needs to be a wine that distinguishes itself from the others, therefore making it not only good but memorable. A visit to this cantina will be both good and memorable. In the early '60s Damo, the grandfather planted the first vineyard, which has grown into a family affair which reflects the company’s desire to retain the natural goodness of the terroir of Montepulciano, “without masking the flavors and characteristic aromas.”
