Montecarlo DOC
モンテカルロ DOC
A unique Tuscan enclave famous for elegant, internationally-influenced white blends.
About Montecarlo DOC
- Producers listed
- 2
Montecarlo DOC is a small but historically significant wine appellation located in the province of Lucca, Tuscany, covering the municipalities of Montecarlo, Altopascio, Capannori, and Porcari. Established in 1969, it is renowned for its unique white wine blends, which historically incorporated a diverse range of international varieties alongside traditional Italian grapes. Montecarlo Bianco combines Trebbiano Toscano (40-60%) with Semillon, Pinot Grigio/Bianco, Vermentino, Sauvignon Blanc, and Roussanne, setting it apart from the Sangiovese-dominated landscape of the rest of Tuscany. Montecarlo Rosso is Sangiovese-based, blended with Canaiolo and international varieties such as Syrah, Cabernet Franc/Sauvignon, and Merlot, and can earn a Riserva designation after two years of aging. The Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and cool winters moderated by protective hills, gives the wines balance, aromatic intensity, and aging potential.
Best for
Wine enthusiasts looking for a unique alternative to standard Tuscan Sangiovese whites.
Food Pairings
Seafood risotto, grilled white fish, roasted poultry, and soft cheeses; the reds pair well with Tuscan cured meats and roasted game.
Producers
テヌータ・デル・ブオナミーコ
Tenuta del Buonamico
Founded in 1964 in the medieval village of Montecarlo (province of Lucca, Tuscany) by a group of Turin restaurateurs, Tenuta del Buonamico has been owned by the Fontana family since 2008. The estate spans roughly 100 hectares, of which about 45 hectares are specialized vineyards, benefiting from a unique microclimate shaped by both the sea and the Apennine foothills. Buonamico blends traditional Tuscan winemaking with modern technique, producing still whites, reds and rosés as well as, since 2011, sparkling wines under its 'Particolare' line — briefly the largest sparkling wine producer in Tuscany. The property also includes a wine resort with suites, spa and restaurant.
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www.buonamico.it/ワンダンナ
Wandanna
Wandanna is a historic wine estate in the town of Montecarlo, in the province of Lucca, Tuscany. A notarial deed from 846 AD, preserved in the archives of the Diocese of Lucca, records vine cultivation on this land, giving the estate over 1,200 years of documented viticultural history. In the 1950s the property was owned by Italian singer Luciano Tajoli, who named it "Wandanna" after his wife (combining her names Wanda and Anna) and coined the motto "Wandanna, il vino che fa cantare" (the wine that makes you sing). Since 1987 the estate has been run by the Fantozzi family; founder Ivaldo Fantozzi modernized the winery — building the first computerized cellar in Montecarlo — before his passing in 2018, and it is now managed by his wife Giovanna and children Laura and Vittorio. The estate spans over 50 hectares, including 21 hectares of vineyards and 5 hectares of olive groves, producing roughly 1,000 hectoliters of wine annually. Wandanna makes Montecarlo DOC Rosso and Bianco as well as Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG, using Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for its reds, and Trebbiano Toscano, Sémillon, Pinot Grigio, Vermentino, Sauvignon and Roussanne for its whites, alongside extra virgin olive oil.
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www.wandanna.it/en/
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Montecarlo DOC white wines unique?
- They traditionally blend the Italian grape Trebbiano Toscano with international varieties such as Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Bianco, which is unusual among Tuscan whites that are typically dominated by Trebbiano and Malvasia alone.
- Is Montecarlo DOC only for white wines?
- No. The appellation also produces Sangiovese-based red wines that can carry a Riserva designation after at least two years of aging, though it is most famous for its distinctive white blends.
- Where is Montecarlo DOC located?
- It lies in the southern part of the province of Lucca in Tuscany, covering the municipalities of Montecarlo, Altopascio, Capannori, and Porcari, near the border with Pistoia.
- What food pairs best with Montecarlo Bianco?
- Its balanced acidity and aromatic complexity make it a natural match for seafood dishes, grilled white fish, and soft cheeses.