The noble wine, Vino Nobile, is among the best red wines of Italy. The wines remind of the Chianti, but are darker, stiffer, and easier to store.
The community Montepulciano is in the province Siena. This is where the Vino Nobile is made. It was formerly rare, that a wine came equal to its noble name. The the harvest has been reduced since the region classification as DOCG, and so the wines concentration raised, which gives them a Bordeaux-like character. The reduction of white vines has also led to a rise in quality. These dark stiff wines have long contact with the mash, and are fermented at high temperatures. They are processed in wooden barrels, which give off their oak flavor, and let the wines ripen slowly.
The name Vino Nobile is only permissible for the red wines. The wines have had DOCG status since 1983. The Italian wine laws prescribe a minumum alcoholcontent of 12%. Te wines must be stored for two years. After three years storage they made be called Riserva, after four years Riserva Speciale. A new DOC (since 1987) is Rosso di Montepulciano, for wines that do not have Vino Nobile classification.
Among the vines used are the Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Mammolo, and less and less Malvasia and Trebbiano Toscano. The blend is dominated by Sangiovese.
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