Do NOT confuse the Montepulciano wine made from the varietal of the same name with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.
Do Not Be Mistaken
Montepulciano wine is made from the Sangiovese grape variety (minimum of 70 percent), and the grapes must come from the hills surrounding the village.
Do NOT confuse Nobile di Montepulciano with Brunello. At the center of both wines is Sangiovese; however, Nobile di Montepulciano is made with the clone, Prugnolo Gentile, and Brunello relies on Sangiovese Grosso (100 percent).
Do NOT confuse Nobile di Montepulciano with Chianti, with unique soil types and micro-climates, expect more fruit and floral aromas in a Chianti, Chianti requires a minimum of 80 percent Sangiovese.
History
Vino Nobile is a small and distinctive appellation located approximately 65 km southeast of Siena. Viticulture in the region dates back many centuries to Etruscan times. During the 15th Century, the local wine was a favorite among the Sienese aristocracy and, in the 16th Century, it was valued by Pope Paul III, who spoke of the wine’s excellent qualities.
Montepulciano was first documented in a 1350 manuscript highlighting the marketing and export of wine. The Vino Nobile was officially noted in the 15th century when Poliziano (Angelo Ambrogini 1454-1494; Italian poet and humanist) took residence in the court of Lorenzo dei Medici. The nobles loved the wine and poet Francesco Redi called it the “King of all wines” in his book, Bacchus of Tuscany (17th century). King William III of England made it a personal favorite (1689-1702). The French writer, Voltaire, mentioned Nobile di Montepulciano in his book, Candide (1759). Even the third president of the United States, Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809), said it was “most superlatively good.”
The reputation of the wine was secured when, in 1933, it was determined to be an excellent product at the first wine commerce exhibition in Siena.
Adamo Fanetti is noted for naming the wine, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and promoting the wine internationally in the years following World War I. In 1937 Fanetti started Cantina Sociale with the intention of marketing the wine internationally. Fanetti Vino Nobile was awarded a gold medal in 1937 at the Grand Prix de Paris. DOC status was granted in 1966 and DOCG in 1980.
