Il Nobile di Montepulciano: discovering the “King of wines”

​Indissolubility linked to the ancient village of Montepulciano, it is synonymous of Italy in the world and translates that combination of taste and know-how that wine lovers recognize and appreciate: we are talking about Vino Nobile. Precious and refined, this product with ancient origins has given Tuscany and Italy an important record: it was the first wine to achieve the prestigious Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin.

But what makes it so unique and how do you recognize a Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG?

We discover it together in a journey between history and flavor.

History of Vino Nobile: "King of all wine"

Appreciated for its valuable characteristics since its origins, the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano intertwines its history with that of the territory starting from the Middle Ages, an era to which the Dictionary of the historian Emanuele Repetti traces a key event: the cleric Arnipert donates a vineyard close to the castle of Policiano to the Church of San Silvestro in Lanciniano, on the Amiata.

We are in 739 BC, the union between Montepulciano and its most famous product was born like this, but history is dotted with various testimonies that allow us to follow its evolution through the centuries: it is dated 1350, for example, a manuscript that puts black on white all the clauses for the marketing and export of the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, while in 1685 the founder of experimental biology, Francesco Redi, in the work “Bacchus in Tuscany”, crowns it “king of all wine“.

Back in vogue in the 1930s, after a phase of oblivion at the beginning of the century, the Nobile di Montepulciano was consecrated as a product of excellence in 1933, the year in which Siena hosted the first market exhibition dedicated to typical wines.

Subsequently, the wine growing momentum of the 1960s helped to consolidate the reputation of one of the most loved Italian products in the world.

​​What does Vino Nobile mean?

The lucky and ancient produ​ction of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has always been synonymous with excellence, above all for the characteristics that over the centuries have been codified, appreciated and associated with a noble user: not surprisingly it was the element distinctive of the convivial events of nobles and popes, so much so that in the Renaissance the cellarman of Pope Paul III Farnese, Sante Lancerio, exalted its quality by calling it “Perfectissimo” wine for the tables of the Lords.

Th​​e production disciplinary of Montepulciano DOCG

The first production disciplinary of the Nobile di Montepulciano is dated July  12 1966: during this year in obtains the Denomination of Controlled of Origin (DOC), which was followed, in 1980, by the achievement of the Denomination of Controlled and Guaranted Origin. The last amendments to the disciplinary were made by law decree of 9 November 2010.

First of all, it is a wine obtained with at least 70% of Prugnolo Gentile grape, to which other vines suitable for cultivation in Tuscany can be added, provided that the maximum percentage of 30% indicated by the specification is respected, which also prescribes a period of aging for at least two years.

This phase includes three different operating modes:

● 24 months in wooden barrel

● 18 months in wood and for the remaining 6 in other containers

● at least 12 months in wood, then 6 months in the bottle and another 6 in tank made with other materials.

If you choose for the last two solutions, the beginning of the aging period in wood cannot go beyond 30 April of the year following the harvest.

Char​​​acteristics of the Nobile di Montepulciano

Nestled in the hilly area of Montepulciano, in the province of Siena​, the production area of Vino Nobile extends between the Val d’Orcia and the Valdichiana.

The wine has a clear and brilliant ruby red with garnet-colored reflections. At the nose is intense, smooth and suggests floral notes of rose and violet that meet hints of cassis and blackberries blending with spicy hints of white pepper.

On the palate, the fruity component is enveloping and it is supported by a tannic texture that is both tight and caressing at the same time, which reveals a fresh and balsamic acidity.

The perfect pa​​irings for the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

​Nobile di Montepulciano goes very well with red meats, game, game and aged cheeses, all key elements of Tuscan gastronomy. In particular, it is perfect to pair with traditional pici with Chianina di Montepulciano ragù or pecorino Toscano DOP. But where to taste the Nobile di Montepulciano wine and which cellar to choose for those looking for the highest quality?

Nobi​​​le di Montepulciano: which one to choose? The proposal of Fattoria del Cerro

Fattoria del Cerro, in the locality of Acquaviva in Montepulciano, is perfect for discovering the enveloping aroma of Vino Nobile: here it is possible to explore the production area that stands on land dating back to the marine Pliocene, characterized by an abundance of clays and thyme and an altitude, between 250 and 400 meters above sea level.

The combination of pedoclimatic environment, winemaking style and typical elements of the terroir, contributes to the uniqueness of Vino Nobile, sought after precisely because of its inimitable characteristics.

Fattoria del Cerro is also the ideal place to get in touch with the whole productive universe of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: immersed in the fascinating atmosphere of the Tuscan countryside, you can enjoy a visit with tasting in the cellar to closely observe all the stages of processing and taste it in the three versions produced on the estate, among the finest in Italy:

• “Antica Chiusina” Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, three gold stars from the Veronelli Guide


• Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG, awarded 92 points by James Suckling


• Nobile di Montepulciano “Silìneo“ which in 2021 obtained the Gambero Rosso “3 Glasses” for the fifth consecutive year

Lovers of wine and gastronomy pairing will also have the opportunity to treat themselves to a real journey into taste with the chef of the Relais Villa Grazianella.

It is clear how the Nobile di Montepulciano is really much more than a wine: through its ancient and sophisticated aroma it opens the doors of a territory full of treasures to be discovered, don’t you think?