Day 13 | Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG

Sangiovese on Tuscan Ridges

Long before Brunello captured global fame, the hilltop town of Montepulciano was exporting prized reds under the moniker Vino Nobile - “the noble wine.” Made primarily from the local Sangiovese biotype Prugnolo Gentile, these wines balance red cherry and floral lift with savory tobacco, earth, and a polished tannic frame. Warm, sun‑drenched days meet cool nights on sandstone ridges 250–600 m high, preserving acidity and lending an elegance that sits between Chianti Classico’s brightness and Brunello’s power.

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Defining Traits of Vino Nobile

• Red Cherry & Violet Aromatics - Prugnolo Gentile shows ripe sour cherry, plum, and dried violet with age.

• Silky & Persistent Tannins - Clay‑sandstone soils and moderate barrel aging create firm but approachable structure.

• Aging Rules - Minimum 2 years (one in oak) before release; 3 years for Riserva (with at least 6 months in bottle).

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Terroir & Winemaking Deep Dive

Soils alternate among Pliocene sandstone (tufo), clay, and marine sediments enriched with fossils, promoting drainage and deep root penetration. South‑facing slopes capture abundant sun, yet consistent breezes and 500‑m elevations cool nights, preserving acidity.