Food and drink are two of the big reasons that people choose to find a holiday villa in Tuscany and visit. No matter where you go in the region, you will find that culinary delights abound in markets, little family-owned restaurants and festivals, among countless other dining establishments.
Wine, in particular, is a speciality of the region with many varieties being produced. Most towns have their own types or brands for you to sample as you make your way around the region and some whole areas are world-famous because of their wines, such as Chianti.
Montepulciano is one such area and its Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a very good reason to drop by.
Wine, in particular, is a speciality of the region with many varieties being produced. Most towns have their own types or brands for you to sample as you make your way around the region and some whole areas are world-famous because of their wines, such as Chianti.
Montepulciano is one such area and its Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a very good reason to drop by.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is one of three great Sangiovese DOCG zones in Tuscany and certainly the oldest and the smallest. The wine was first documented in 789 AD when a cleric, Arnipert, offered the church of San Silvestre some vineyards attached to the castle of Policiano.
Further records document the trade of the wine in the 14th century and it was praised in the mid-16th century by Pope John III's cellarman, who described it as “perfect in both winter and summer; aromatic, fleshy, never sour nor brightly-coloured, because it is a wine fit for a Nobleman.”
Redi's ode to `Bacchus in Tuscany' from 1685 declares it “the king of all wines!”
Further records document the trade of the wine in the 14th century and it was praised in the mid-16th century by Pope John III's cellarman, who described it as “perfect in both winter and summer; aromatic, fleshy, never sour nor brightly-coloured, because it is a wine fit for a Nobleman.”
Redi's ode to `Bacchus in Tuscany' from 1685 declares it “the king of all wines!”
Yet, it is not so well known as other Tuscan wines. This is partially due to the wine being labelled and sold as Chianti in the 19th century. The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOC was established in the 1960s and it was promoted to DOCG status in 1980 – the first in Italy – and this has helped rebuild its popularity somewhat. Stylistically, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is said to combine the richness of Brunello di Montalcino with the perfume of Chianti Classico. The wine tend to be medium to full-bodied with firm tannins, lively acidity, fleshy strawberry and cherry fruit and hints of tea leaves. Wine is tightly linked with the history of the town of Montepulciano and wineries are actually built in to the ancient urban structure of the medieval town. Generally aged for two years before it is sold, good examples can be kept for 8-15 years and superior ones for decades. If you are visiting this corner of Tuscany, visiting a vineyard or winery, going on a tasting and bringing some examples back home to enjoy after the holiday is over are a must!
