Montepulciano
モンテプルチャーノ
Sangiovese elegance from Tuscany's noble hilltop town.
Montepulciano is a historic hilltop town in the province of Siena, southeastern Tuscany, renowned as the home of the prestigious Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG. The vineyards sit at altitudes between 250 and 600 meters on the edge of the Val d'Orcia, benefiting from marly-clay and sandy soils that offer excellent drainage and a wide diurnal temperature range. The dominant grape is Prugnolo Gentile, a local clone of Sangiovese that must make up at least 70% of the blend, producing wines of elegance, structure, and notable aging potential. Winemaking in the area dates back to the Etruscan era, and the town's underground cellars remain an active part of its viticultural tradition today.
Best for: Ideal for wine enthusiasts who appreciate structured, age-worthy Sangiovese-based reds and those exploring Tuscany's historic viticultural towns beyond Chianti.
Appellations
Rosso di Montepulciano DOC
Rosso di Montepulciano DOC is a Tuscan appellation established in 1989 in the province of Siena, serving as the younger, earlier-drinking sibling of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. It is made primarily from Sangiovese (locally called Prugnolo Gentile), which must account for at least 70% of the blend, along with Canaiolo Nero and small amounts of other local varieties. Unlike Vino Nobile, which requires roughly two years of aging, Rosso di Montepulciano needs only about four months before release, resulting in a fresh, fruit-forward wine with soft, approachable tannins. The vineyards occupy the same hillsides around the historic town of Montepulciano, offering an accessible entry point into the terroir at a lower price and shorter wait.
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Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC
Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC is a prestigious Italian appellation located in the province of Siena, Tuscany. It is renowned for producing high-quality dessert wines made primarily from Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes, which are dried on mats before fermentation. The aging process occurs in small wooden barrels called 'caratelli' for several years, resulting in a complex, oxidative style with notes of dried fruits, honey, and nuts. The appellation also includes the rare and highly prized 'Occhio di Pernice' (Partridge Eye) version, which is produced using a high percentage of Sangiovese grapes, yielding a rich, amber-colored rosé dessert wine with intense berry aromas.
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Producers
コントゥッチ
Contucci
Located in the heart of Montepulciano just steps from Piazza Grande, Contucci is one of the oldest wine producers in the region, with the family's roots in the area tracing back to 1008. Now run by the 41st generation, the estate is centered on the 16th-century Palazzo Contucci, designed by architect Antonio da Sangallo the Elder and adorned with frescoes by Andrea Pozzo. Beneath the palazzo lie 13th-century cellars built into Montepulciano's old city walls, where wines age in French and Slovenian oak. Contucci was among the historic families credited with establishing the fame of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and the estate remains committed to traditional, low-intervention winemaking that showcases Sangiovese, locally called Prugnolo Gentile, with elegance, structure, and notable aging potential.
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www.contucci.it/en/デイ
Dei
Founded in 1964 when Alibrando Dei acquired the Bossona vineyard in Montepulciano, Dei (Cantine Dei) is now led by his granddaughter Caterina Dei. The estate is one of the benchmark producers of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, farming roughly 60 hectares across five distinct vineyard sites, most notably the 23-hectare Bossona vineyard at 400m elevation, source of the acclaimed 'Bossona' Riserva. The winery adopted organic farming in 2018 (certified 2021) and later earned Equalitas sustainability certification. Its gravity-fed winery at Villa Martiena, built from local travertine marble, is a landmark of the appellation.
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www.cantinedei.it/ポデーリ・ボスカレッリ
Poderi Boscarelli
Founded in 1962 by Egidio Corradi, Poderi Boscarelli is widely recognized as one of the premier producers of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Located in the Cervognano area, the estate benefits from unique soil compositions and microclimates that impart elegance, complexity, and longevity to their Sangiovese-based wines. The winery emphasizes traditional methods combined with modern precision, focusing on expressing the distinct terroir of Montepulciano. Their flagship wines, including the 'Il Nobile' and the prestigious 'Costa Grande' selection, consistently receive critical acclaim for their refined tannins and aromatic depth, solidifying Boscarelli's status as a benchmark for the region.
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www.poderiboscarelli.com/サルケート
Salcheto
Located in the heart of Montepulciano, Salcheto is a pioneering estate renowned for its commitment to environmental sustainability and organic viticulture. The winery is famous for being the first in the world to calculate its carbon footprint and for its innovative 'off-grid' cellar technology. Under the leadership of Michele Manelli, Salcheto produces elegant Vino Nobile di Montepulciano that expresses the purity of the Sangiovese grape. Their approach combines traditional Tuscan winemaking with modern ecological responsibility, ensuring that every bottle reflects the unique terroir of the region while minimizing environmental impact.
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www.salcheto.it/
Food Pairings
Pairs beautifully with Bistecca alla Fiorentina, wild boar and lamb ragù, porcini mushroom risotto, Bolognese lasagna, and aged pecorino cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Montepulciano d'Abruzzo the same as Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
- No, they are completely different. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is made from the Montepulciano grape in Abruzzo, while Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a Sangiovese-based wine (Prugnolo Gentile) from the town of Montepulciano in Tuscany.
- What does Vino Nobile di Montepulciano taste like?
- It shows a balanced, medium-to-full body with lively acidity, ripe red cherry and plum fruit, subtle earthy and leather notes, and a long, savory finish that becomes more complex with age.
- What is the main grape variety grown in Montepulciano?
- The dominant variety is Prugnolo Gentile, a local clone of Sangiovese, which must constitute at least 70% of the blend in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
- What food pairs well with wines from Montepulciano?
- These wines pair excellently with grilled and roasted red meats, wild boar, meat ragù pasta, porcini mushroom risotto, and aged pecorino cheese.
- When is the best time to visit Montepulciano for wine tasting?
- Spring (April-May) and autumn offer mild weather ideal for winery visits, while summer is the driest season though inland heat can be intense in July and August.