IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CONSORZIO VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: Heritage renewed
A landmark initiative, and the most important evolution of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano in decades, the Pieve reinforces the centuries-old connection between the wines and their territory by emphasising their shared history and geography.
‘The name ‘Pieve’ comes from the Italian for ‘parish’, and the revival of this historical identity is a deliberate choice’
Photos Supplied by the Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Published: Monday 14th September
The noble wine of the Renaissance
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is one of Tuscany’s most celebrated regions. Appreciation for its wines dates back to the 16th century, when Pope Paul III’s cellar master praised it as a ‘perfect wine,’ while poet Francesco Redi went on to declare it ‘the king of wines’ in 1685.
The term Vino Nobile first appeared officially in 1766, underlining its longstanding association with excellence. In 1980 it became one of Italy’s first DOCGs, the country’s highest wine classification, alongside Barolo, Barbaresco and Brunello di Montalcino.
One of Tuscany’s most historic wines enters a new era with the Pieve project, classifying Vino Nobile di Montepulciano’s vineyards into twelve subzones.
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A charter for quality
Pieve wines are made to the most stringent regulations in the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG. Wines must be composed of at least 85% Prugnolo Gentile, the local expression of Tuscany’s famous Sangiovese. Any complementary varieties must be indigenous, and fruit must come from mature vines of at least 15 years of age, with lower yields permitted than for other Vino Nobile wines.
Fruit must also be estate grown rather than purchased and the wines aged for a minimum of 36 months, including time in wooden barrels, before release. A strict certification process, both technical and organoleptic, sets the Pieve wines apart, with all wines required to pass in order to qualify for the designation.
The result is a new focus for quality within Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and a new level of transparency for wine drinkers seeking to understand the finest vinous expressions of this historic territory.
Pieve: Pursuing excellence
Developed by the Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano over four years, with both national and international input, the Pieve project sets a new benchmark for quality within the denomination.
‘The ‘Pieve’ project stems from a desire to highlight the profound bond between Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and its territory,’ remarks Andrea Rossi, President of the Consorzio. ‘From the outset, the goal has been to offer consumers a clear and distinctive way to understand the wines.
Today, the Pievi represent a significant milestone for the entire appellation: the result of years of study, dialogue and collaboration among producers, as well as the start of a new phase of development, recognition and competitiveness for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.’
The name ‘Pieve’ comes from the Italian for ‘parish’, and the revival of this historical identity is a deliberate choice. Each Pieve is named after a parish church in its area, with each one acting as a link to the cultural, historical and social fabric of Montepulciano.
While the Pievi undoubtedly help to articulate terroir and a sense of place in wine, they also stand for a deeper connection to the geography, culture and communities that have shaped the land over centuries.
A new chapter for an historic wine
With the first Pieve wines released from the 2021 vintage, the project has begun to demonstrate the diversity, complexity and individuality of Montepulciano’s terroir.
The unique soils, microclimates and geography of each of the twelve Pievi give viticulturists and winemakers a canvas on which to refine site expression for years to come, combining a historical framework with modern, sustainable viticulture.
The full story of the twelve Pievi, including the parishes, the producers and their wines, can be explored at www.consorziovinonobile.it
The historic Tuscan town of Montepulciano
San Biagio
Flag throwers outside the cathedral of Montepulciano
Aerial view of the Fortezza Medicea in Montepulciano
The Tuscan hilltop town of Montepulciano