PRODUCTION REGULATIONS: The first production regulations are dated July 12, 1966. With the 1980 vintage, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano obtained the recognition of the Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin, the first wine to be marketed with the highest classification provided for by Italian law. The latest changes were made with a decree of November 9, 2010.
PRODUCTION AREA: The municipal territory of Montepulciano excluding the Valdichiana area. Only vineyards located at an altitude between 250 and 600 meters above sea level.
GRAPES: Sangiovese, minimum 70%. Complementary red grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the Tuscany Region may also contribute up to a maximum of 30%.
MATURATION: The winemaking and mandatory aging operations must be carried out within the territory of the municipality of Montepulciano. The wine with the controlled and guaranteed designation of origin “Vino Nobile di Montepulciano” must undergo a maturation period of at least two years, starting from January 1st following the harvest. Within this period, the following possible options are left to the discretion of the producers:
1. 24 months of maturation in wood;
2. 18 months minimum of maturation in wood plus the remaining months in another container;
3. 12 months minimum in wood plus 6 months minimum in bottle plus the remaining months in another container.
In cases 2 and 3, the start of the maturation period in wood cannot be extended beyond April 30th of the year following the harvest. The controlled and guaranteed designation of origin wine “Vino Nobile di Montepulciano” cannot be released for consumption before completing two years of mandatory maturation calculated from 1 January of the year following the year of production of the grapes.
BOTTLING: Bottling operations must be carried out within the winemaking area. However, for the controlled and guaranteed designation of origin “Vino Nobile di Montepulciano” which is not entitled to the mention “reserve”, bottling is permitted throughout the territory of the Tuscany region for wineries that have been bottling this designation for at least three years prior to the entry into force of the production regulations currently in force.
RESERVE: The wine with the controlled and guaranteed designation of origin “Vino Nobile di Montepulciano” derived from grapes with a minimum natural alcoholic strength by volume of 12.50% and subjected to a maturation period of at least 3 years, of which 6 months of refinement in the bottle, can bear the qualification “riserva” on the label, without prejudice to the minimum periods of use of wood required.
CHARACTERISTICS: Minimum total alcoholic strength by volume: 12.50% vol., for the “riserva” typology 13.00% vol.: minimum total acidity: 4.5 g/l; minimum net dry extract: 23 g/l.