Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: Fun Facts and Upcoming Events

FUN FACTS: 1. Royal Reputation: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano was considered exceptional in the past. It earned nicknames like the "King of all Wines" in the 1600s by poet Francesco Redi 2. Ancient Ancestry: Explaining how it received a longstanding royal reputation, the history of winemaking in Montepulciano stretches far back. The town itself has Etruscan tunnels, a series of tunnels and wells that provided the Etruscan civilization with water. This hints at their possible role in starting the wine tradition. 3. Not to be Confused: Don't mix it up with Montepulciano d'Abruzzo! Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a region, not a grape. While they're both red wines, Vino Nobile mainly uses Sangiovese and Canaiolo grapes with a splash of Mammolo. 4. First of its Class: Vino Nobile holds a prestigious title in Italy. In 1980, it became the first wine to be awarded the DOCG classification, which signifies the strictest regulations and highest quality standards. 5. Hillside Haven: The grapes for Vino Nobile grow on sunny slopes between 250 and 580 meters above sea level. This specific terroir, with its mix of clay and sand, contributes to the wine's characteristic structure and aromas. --- VINOUS HIGHLIGHTS 1. MOVING FORWARD: “Returning to Montepulciano warms my heart. Not only has the region moved forward by leaps and bounds qualitatively, but also in communication, marketing and, most importantly, a willingness to better understand their terroir. Going back only five years ago, there were only a handful of wineries worth keeping tabs on, but that number has grown substantially. Much of this concerns a paradigm shift amongst producers who have realized that consumers crave a more transparent Vino Nobile that focuses on Tuscany’s primary variety, Sangiovese, and less on the heavy use of oak and significant additions of international varieties. As a result, Italy’s first DOCG wine has made a serious comeback, and the future appears to be very bright.” 2. WINE-LOVERS PARADISE: “Montepulciano is a wine-tourist and food-lover’s paradise, all centered in a charming, yet significantly larger than you’d expect, fortified hilltop town that is accessible and easy to traverse on foot. Montepulciano offers a wide selection of excellent restaurants, wine bars, hotels, shopping, live performances, panoramic countryside views, art and stunning architecture. Moreover, wine lovers can experience winery tours through historic caves that reveal centuries of history beneath the bustling city streets, along with the conveniently located and welcoming Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano–all without ever leaving town.” 3. WHAT A REPUTATION: “The wine of Montepulciano, not to be confused with the grape variety found primarily in Abruzzo, has a long-standing history. Even Thomas Jefferson, a well-documented wine lover and writer (I highly recommend reading Thomas Jefferson on Wine by John Hailman), sang its praises. Yet even before that, documentation of wine being produced within its borders goes back to the eighth century. The town is in southeastern Tuscany, south of Chianti Classico, east and slightly north of Montalcino, bordered by the Val d’Orcia.” 4. HANDS ARE FULL: “The producers of Montepulciano have had their hands full dealing with the challenges of recent years in the form of warm and arid conditions. Each growing season presents new trials, and as soon as one seems to be overcome, another is right around the corner. In 2023, a massive amount of rain and lack of sunlight through spring resulted in the worst onset of downy mildew the region had ever witnessed. Unseasonably hot temperatures followed in July. Some producers reported losing up to 70% of their production and, in some cases, have already decided not to bottle a Vino Nobile in 2023. Others claim it may be a form of natural selection by Mother Nature. However, the fear is that the remaining grapes on the vine may already be contaminated by rot. It will be an interesting vintage to follow over the coming years.” 5. VINTAGES TO FOCUS ON: “Of these four years, 2019 is the one to focus on, not just because it makes up the bulk of what’s entering the market but also because it represents a more classic Vino Nobile profile. Coming off the rainy and warm 2018 vintage, which presented pretty and lifted wines that often lacked substance, the 2019s are a breath of fresh air. They are dark and powerful, full of complexity, but with refined tannic profiles. This will be a vintage for the cellar that we will talk about for a long time. The 2019s are some of the most exciting young wines I remember tasting at several estates. In no specific order, some standouts include Boscarelli, La Braccesca, Montemercurio, Poliziano, Valdipiatta, Villa S. Anna, Poderi Sanguineto I e II and Salcheto.” -All points pulled from Eric Guido’s article, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: Making Wine in the New Normal , October 2023 --- UPCOMING VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO TRADE EVENTS Antonio Galloni will lead two exceptional Masterclasses & Guided Tastings hosted by the Consorzio Vino Nobile di Montepulciano . Trade Walk-Around Tastings will follow the Masterclasses. These are unique opportunities to meet wine producers and taste the latest and signature vintages of these fine Tuscan estates. These exciting events will take place in Houston, Texas and Chicago, Illinois. Houston, Texas Monday, May 20, 2024 Hotel Zaza Museum District PARTICIPATING WINERIES: Avignonesi | Az. Agr. Tiberini | Boscarelli | Carpineto | Dei | Fattoria del Cerro | Fattoria Svetoni | La Braccesca | La Ciarliana | Le Bèrne | Manvi | Marchesi Frescobaldi | Podere Casanova | Poliziano | Tenuta di Gracciano della Seta | Tenuta Poggio alla Sala | Tenuta Trerose | Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano Chicago, Illinois Wednesday, May 22, 2024 Lyric Opera House PARTICIPATING WINERIES: Avignonesi | Az. Agr. Tiberini | Boscarelli | Carpineto | Dei | Fattoria della Talosa | Fattoria del Cerro | Fattoria Svetoni | La Braccesca | La Ciarliana | Le Bèrne | Manvi | Marchesi Frescobaldi | Podere Casanova | Poliziano | Tenuta di Gracciano della Seta | Tenuta Poggio alla Sala | Tenuta Trerose | Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano For further information, please contact: International Event & Exhibition Management | info@ieemusa.com | Tel: 305-937-2488 You can RSVP here . Note: Registration is open to wine/hospitality trade and media. A business card or other professional identification will be required for admission.