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 Editorial  Share this article     Summary of Wine Tasting column Events 
  Wine Tasting Issue 64, June 2008   
Comparing Vino Nobile di MontepulcianoComparing Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Wines of the MonthWines of the Month  Contents 
Issue 63, May 2008 Follow DiWineTaste on Follow DiWineTaste on TwitterIssue 65, Summer 2008

Comparing Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Among the greatest wines of Italian enology, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is mainly produced with Prugnolo Gentile grape, better known as Sangiovese Grosso

 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is among the most ancient known wines of Italy or, better to say, one of those wines which were in the past already associated to their territories and that still today are used to identify them. Produced in the city of Montepulciano - in the province of Siena - it has nothing in common with the homonymous red berried grape found in other Italian regions and in particular Abruzzo, Vino Nobile is mainly obtained with Prugnolo Gentile, the name used in Montepulciano to call Sangiovese Grosso. Prugnolo Gentile - despite it is the main grape of this wine, frequently used alone - it is not the only grape used for the production of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, to which it is sometimes added Canaiolo Nero, Colorino and Mammolo. According to the production disciplinary, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano must age for at least 24 months, of which most of them in cask or barrique, 36 months for the riserva style.

 Montepulciano's wine is mentioned for the first time in 789 AD, in a document written by clergyman Arnipert with which he donated a vineyard of the castle of Policiano to the church of San Silvestro at Lanciniano sull'Amiata. From that moment on, the wine of Montepulciano will be mentioned in other documents, but it will be in 1549 this wine is mentioned with words of praise. In that year Sante Lancerio - cellar master and wine steward of Pope Paul III - defined it as truly perfect wine, a gentleman's wine. The wine of Montepulciano, in the course of the years, received the title of “King”, in the dithyramb “Bacchus in Tuscany”, written in 1685 by Francesco Redi - doctor, naturalist and literate from Arezzo - where in the final verse can be read “Montepulciano is the King of all wines”. The adjective nobile - that is, noble - is found for the first time in 1787, where in an accounting report of the Governor of “Regio Ritiro di San Girolamo” - Giovan Filippo Neri - the wine is mentioned with the term nobile.

 

Wines of the Tasting

 The main protagonist of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is Prugnolo Gentile, name with which in this area is called Sangiovese Grosso. Despite in the production of this wine are allowed other grapes as well - in particular Canaiolo Nero, Mammolo and Colorino - Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is frequently produced with Prugnolo Gentile only. Of good vigor, characterized by clusters rich in round berries of a blue-black skin and rich in bloom, Prugnolo Gentile usually reaches full ripening between the end of September and the first days of October. Prugnolo Gentile has a pretty high content in sugar - therefore producing wines with a pretty high alcohol by volume - and also the content in acids is pretty high, a quality giving an evident crispness in its wines. The content in polyphenols - to which are also added to ones passed from wood during aging - as well as acidity and alcohol, allow the wines produced with this grape to stand to long periods of aging and to pretty long evolution times, frequently more than 20 years.


The three Vino
Nobile di Montepulciano wines of our comparative tasting
The three Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines of our comparative tasting

 The wines selected for our comparative tasting are all produced with 100% Prugnolo Gentile, and they differ for the type of container and the period used for aging. The goal of this comparative tasting is the understanding of Prugnolo Gentile's qualities in function of the aging technique. The first wine of our comparative tasting is Dei's Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva Bossona, aged for 24 months in cask and for 12 in bottle. The second wine is Tenuta Valdipiatta's Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Vigna d'Alfiero, aged for 18 months in barrique and for 12 in bottle. The third wine is Poliziano's Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Asinone, for which has been used an aging technique of 18 months in cask and barrique, as well as 8 months of aging in bottle. The wines will be served at the temperature of 18° C (65° F) and will be used - as usual - three ISO tasting glasses.

 

Appearance Analysis

 Prugnolo Gentile - just like all the other Sangiovese varieties - is characterized by a coloring capacity which can be defined as “average”. Wines produced with this grape show in fact a moderate transparency, something different from what can be observed, for example, in wines produced with Cabernet Sauvignon. There are however cases in which the transparency of Prugnolo Gentile is pretty low, a quality which can be obtained with the concentration of coloring substances found in grapes, by keeping - for example - a low yield in vineyards. Because of the long time of aging before being commercialized, the color which can be observed in “young” Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is generally intense and brilliant ruby red, with nuances of the same color. As time goes by, the color tends to get intense garnet red hues and evident brick red nuances.

 We will begin the appearance analysis from Dei's Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva Bossona. By holding the glass tilted on a white surface - a white sheet of paper or a white tablecloth will do - we will evaluate, at the base of the glass where the liquid mass is thicker, the color. It will be observed an intense ruby red color, with a moderate transparency. By observing the wine to the edge of the liquid mass, that is towards the opening of the glass, we will notice evident garnet red nuances. Let's now pass to the evaluation of the second wine of our comparative tasting: Tenuta Valdipiatta's Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Vigna d'Alfiero. The color of this wine, observed while holding the glass tilted, is intense and brilliant ruby red, with garnet red nuances, not so different from the previous wine. As opposed to the previous wine, here transparency is lower. The color of the third wine - Poliziano's Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Asinone - is not different from the previous ones: it can be in fact observed an intense ruby red color, whereas as opposed as the two previous wines, nuances are characterized by a ruby red. Also in this wine, just like in the previous one, it can be observed a low transparency.

 

Olfactory Analysis

 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is generally characterized by a pretty complex and interesting olfactory profile. This quality is given both by Prugnolo Gentile as well as the long aging times provided for the production disciplinary and which gives the wine an evident complex character. Despite its complexity, in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are perceived more usual aromatic qualities as well, belonging to the world of flowers and fruit. Plum and black cherry are the main aromatic qualities belonging to the world of fruit and which can be perceived in Prugnolo Gentile, however it is not rare to find blueberry as well. The main representative of the world of flowers is violet, sometimes the rose as well. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has complex aromatic qualities, such as vanilla, cinnamon, licorice, mace, nutmeg, tobacco, black pepper and pink pepper, as well as balsamic aromas of menthol and eucalyptus.


 

 We will begin the evaluation of aromas from Dei's Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva Bossona. By holding the glass in vertical position and without swirling, we will do a first smell in order to evaluate opening aromas of the wine, made of “light” aromatic substances and which do not require a big quantity of oxygen in order to volatilize. From the glass will be appreciated intense and very clean aromas of plum, black cherry and violet: an opening which can be defined as typical and characteristic of Prugnolo Gentile and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Let's now proceed with the swirling of the glass in order to favor the oxygenation of the wine therefore allowing the volatilization of “heavy” aromas and which will complete the aromatic profile of the wine. From the glass will be perceived aromas of blueberry, raspberry and rose as well as more complex qualities of tobacco, vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon, pink pepper and mace. It should also be noticed the pleasing balsamic sensation of menthol, very pleasing and very balanced.

 The opening of the second wine - Tenuta Valdipiatta's Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Vigna d'Alfiero - is not very different from the previous wine: also in this case are perceived intense and very clean aromas of black cherry, plum and violet to which is added a pleasing aroma of blackberry. Let's now proceed with the swirling of the glass in order to favor the development of other aromas. From the glass will be perceived aromas of raspberry, blueberry and rose, as well as aromas of tobacco, vanilla, licorice, chocolate, cinnamon and mace, to which is added the balsamic touch of menthol. The opening of the third wine - Poliziano's Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Asinone - is characterized by intense and clean aromas of black cherry, plum, blueberry and violet, also in this case, a typical opening of Prugnolo Gentile. The aromatic profile of this wine - evaluated after having swirled the glass - is completed by intense and clean aromas of black currant, vanilla, cocoa, tobacco, licorice, pink pepper and hints of rubber. It should also be noticed the pleasing balsamic touch of menthol and the mineral hints of graphite.

 

Gustatory Analysis

 Thanks to the characteristics of Prugnolo Gentile, to the technique and the long time of aging, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is pretty interesting to the taste. Among the main gustatory qualities are found an appreciable and refreshing acidity, an evident full structure, also given by the aging in cask or barrique. These qualities will be perceptible in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano since the moment of attack - that is the sensation perceived in the mouth at the first sip - where the pleasing acidity of Prugnolo Gentile and the astringency of tannins are opposed to the roundness given by aging and alcohol. Alcohol also plays an important role in balancing acidity and astringency: in Vino Nobile di Montepulciano it can in fact reach 15%, however the average volume is 14%. Also the structure perceived in the mouth is remarkable: evidently full and robust.

 Let's now proceed with the practical phase of tasting by beginning from Dei's Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva Bossona. In the attack of this first wine is perceived the astringency produced by tannins as well as the typical acidity of Prugnolo Gentile, to which is added a sensation of robust structure. It should be noticed the role of alcohol and how it balances the wine. Also excellent is the correspondence to the nose. Let's now pass to the second wine: Tenuta Valdipiatta's Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Vigna d'Alfiero. Also the attack of this wine is pretty astringent and with a robust structure, however, as opposed to the previous wine, crispness is slightly lower with a “rounder” sensation. Also in this case it can be perceived the role played by alcohol in the balance. The attack of the third wine - Poliziano's Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Asinone - is tannic and robust, with an appreciable crispness and a pleasing roundness, very well balanced by alcohol.

 

Final Considerations

 Another interesting quality of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is represented by the final sensations which can be perceived in the mouth after having swallowed the wine, generally characterized by a long taste-olfactory persistence. The finish of Dei's Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva Bossona is persistent, leaving in the mouth pleasing and intense flavors of black cherry, plum and blueberry, typical in Prugnolo Gentile. The finish of Tenuta Valdipiatta's Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Vigna d'Alfiero is very persistent, leaving in the mouth long and intense flavors of plum, black cherry and blackberry. Also the finish of the third wine - Poliziano's Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Asinone - is characterized by a long persistence, leaving in the mouth long, intense and pleasing flavors of black cherry, blueberry and plum, very correspondent and typical in Prugnolo Gentile. It should be noticed the sensation of crispness and structure which can be perceived in the mouth after the swallowing of the three wines and the excellent correspondence to the nose.

 






 Editorial  Share this article     Summary of Wine Tasting column Events 
  Wine Tasting Issue 64, June 2008   
Comparing Vino Nobile di MontepulcianoComparing Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Wines of the MonthWines of the Month  Contents 
Issue 63, May 2008 Follow DiWineTaste on Follow DiWineTaste on TwitterIssue 65, Summer 2008

Wines of the Month


 

Score legend

Fair    Pretty Good    Good
Very Good    Excellent
Wine that excels in its category Wine that excels in its category
Good value wine Good value wine
Prices are to be considered as indicative. Prices may vary according to the country
or the shop where wines are bought




Fiano di Avellino 2007, Colle di San Domenico (Campania, Italy)
Fiano di Avellino 2007
Colle di San Domenico (Campania, Italy)
Grapes: Fiano
Price: € 10.20 Score: Wine that excels in its category
This wine shows a brilliant straw yellow color and nuances of greenish yellow, very transparent. The nose denotes intense, clean, pleasing and refined aromas which start with hints of apple, medlar and plum followed by aromas of pineapple, hawthorn, broom and peach. The mouth has good correspondence to the nose, a crisp attack and however balanced by alcohol, good body, intense flavors. The finish is persistent with flavors of apple, plum and medlar. This Fiano di Avellino ages in steel tanks and ages for at least 2 months in bottle.
Food Match: Pasta and risotto with crustaceans and fish, Broiled crustaceans, Sauteed white meat



Taurasi 2003, Colle di San Domenico (Campania, Italy)
Taurasi 2003
Colle di San Domenico (Campania, Italy)
Grapes: Aglianico
Price: € 15.70 Score:
This Taurasi shows a brilliant ruby red color and nuances of garnet red, little transparency. The nose denotes intense, clean, pleasing and refined aromas which start with hints of black cherry, plum and blackberry followed by aromas of violet, vanilla, tobacco, pink pepper, cinnamon and menthol. The mouth has good correspondence to the nose, a tannic attack and however balanced by alcohol, full body, intense flavors. The finish is persistent with flavors of black cherry, plum and blackberry. This Taurasi ages for 24 months in barrique followed by at least 6 months of aging in bottle.
Food Match: Roasted meat, Braised and stewed meat, Hard cheese



Castello del Terriccio 2004, Castello del Terriccio (Tuscany, Italy)
Castello del Terriccio 2004
Castello del Terriccio (Tuscany, Italy)
Grapes: Syrah (50%), Petit Verdot (25%), Other Red Grapes (25%)
Price: € 60.00 Score:
Castello del Terriccio shows an intense ruby red color and nuances of ruby red, little transparency. The nose denotes intense, clean, pleasing, refined and elegant aromas which start with hints of black cherry, plum and black currant followed by aromas of blueberry, violet, vanilla, tobacco, licorice, black pepper, cocoa, cinnamon, eucalyptus, mace and leather. The mouth has excellent correspondence to the nose, a tannic attack and however balanced by alcohol, full body, intense flavors, agreeable. The finish is very persistent with long flavors of black cherry, plum and black currant. Castello del Terriccio ages for 18 months in barrique.
Food Match: Game, Roasted meat, Braised and stewed meat with mushrooms, Hard cheese



Lupicaia 2004, Castello del Terriccio (Tuscany, Italy)
Lupicaia 2004
Castello del Terriccio (Tuscany, Italy)
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon (85%), Merlot (10%), Petit Verdot (5%)
Price: € 100.00 Score:
Lupicaia shows an intense ruby red color and nuances of ruby red, little transparency. The nose reveals intense, clean, pleasing, refined and elegant aromas which start with hints of black cherry, plum and black currant followed by aromas of blueberry, violet, vanilla, tobacco, licorice, cocoa, leather, mace and eucalyptus. The mouth has excellent correspondence to the nose, a tannic attack and however balanced by alcohol, full body, intense flavors, agreeable. The finish is very persistent with long flavors of black cherry, plum and black currant. Lupicaia ages for 18 months in barrique.
Food Match: Game, Roasted meat, Stewed and braised meat, Hard cheese



Bianca di Valguarnera 2004, Duca di Salaparuta (Sicily, Italy)
Bianca di Valguarnera 2004
Duca di Salaparuta (Sicily, Italy)
Grapes: Inzolia
Price: € 20.50 Score:
Bianca di Valguarnera shows a brilliant golden yellow color and nuances of straw yellow, very transparent. The nose denotes intense, clean, pleasing and refined aromas which start with hints of plum, apple and almond followed by aromas of citrus fruits, peach, anise, hawthorn, praline, vanilla and pine. The mouth has good correspondence to the nose, a crisp attack and pleasing roundness, however balanced by alcohol, good body, intense flavors. The finish is persistent with flavors of apple, peach and almond. Bianca di Valguarnera ages in barrique for at least 8 months followed by 12 months of aging in bottle.
Food Match: Stuffed pasta with mushrooms, Roasted fish, Roasted white meat



Duca Enrico 2003, Duca di Salaparuta (Sicily, Italy)
Duca Enrico 2003
Duca di Salaparuta (Sicily, Italy)
Grapes: Nero d'Avola
Price: € 35.00 Score: Wine that excels in its category
Duca Enrico shows an intense ruby red color and nuances of garnet red, little transparency. The nose denotes intense, clean, pleasing, refined and elegant aromas that start with hints of black cherry, plum and blackberry followed by aromas of blueberry, violet, vanilla, tobacco, chocolate, cinnamon, pink pepper and menthol. The mouth has good correspondence to the nose, a tannic attack and however balanced by alcohol, full body, intense flavors, agreeable. The finish is persistent with flavors of black cherry, plum and blackberry. A well made wine. Duca Enrico ages for 18 months in barrique followed by 12 months of aging in bottle.
Food Match: Game, Roasted meat, Braised and stewed meat, Hard cheese



Marsala Superiore Riserva Targa Riserva 1840 1998, Florio (Sicily, Italy)
Marsala Superiore Riserva Targa Riserva 1840 1998
Florio (Sicily, Italy)
Grapes: Grillo
Price: € 11.00 - 50cl Score:
Marsala Superiore Riserva Targa Riserva 1840 shows a deep amber yellow color and nuances of amber yellow, transparent. The nose reveals intense, clean, pleasing and refined aromas which start with hints of dried fig, caramel and almond followed by aromas of date, honey, rancho, vanilla, apricot jam, leather, licorice and orange marmalade. The mouth has good correspondence to the nose, an alcoholic and sweet attack, however balanced, full body, intense flavors, pleasing roundness. The finish is persistent with flavors of dried fig, almond and caramel. Marsala Superiore Riserva Targa Riserva 1840 ages for at least 6 years in cask followed by at least 6 months of aging in bottle.
Food Match: Confectionery, Almond tarts, Hard and piquant cheese



Marsala Vergine Baglio Florio 1994, Florio (Sicily, Italy)
Marsala Vergine Baglio Florio 1994
Florio (Sicily, Italy)
Grapes: Grillo
Price: € 21.50 - 50cl Score:
Marsala Vergine Baglio Florio shows a brilliant amber yellow color and nuances of amber yellow, transparent. The nose reveals intense, clean, pleasing, refined and elegant aromas which start with hints of rancho, dried fig and almond followed by aromas of date, honey, citrus fruit peel, raisin, vanilla, nail polish, date, walnut husk and licorice. The mouth has excellent correspondence to the nose, an alcoholic and round attack, however balanced, full body, intense flavors, agreeable. The finish is very persistent with long flavors of dried fig, almond and honey. A well made wine. Marsala Vergine Baglio Florio ages for more than 10 years in cask followed by at least 1 year of aging in bottle.
Food Match: Smoked fish, Roasted meat, Hard cheese



Cannonau di Sardegna 2006, Vigne Deriu (Sardinia, Italy)
Cannonau di Sardegna 2006
Vigne Deriu (Sardinia, Italy)
Grapes: Cannonau
Price: € 8.60 Score:
This Cannonau di Sardegna shows an intense ruby red color and nuances of garnet red, moderate transparency. The nose denotes intense, clean and pleasing aromas that start with hints of black cherry, plum and blueberry followed by aromas of violet, carob and vanilla. The mouth has good correspondence to the nose, a slightly tannic attack and however balanced by alcohol, good body, intense flavors. The finish is persistent with flavors of black cherry and plum.
Food Match: Stuffed pasta with meat, Broiled meat and barbecue, Stewed meat



Vermentino di Sardegna 2007, Vigne Deriu (Sardinia, Italy)
Vermentino di Sardegna 2007
Vigne Deriu (Sardinia, Italy)
Grapes: Vermentino
Price: € 8.60 Score: Wine that excels in its category
This Vermentino di Sardegna shows an intense greenish yellow color and nuances of greenish yellow, very transparent. The nose reveals intense, clean, pleasing and refined aromas that start with hints of pear, peach and apple followed by aromas of pineapple, broom, nettle and hawthorn. The mouth has good correspondence to the nose, a crisp attack and however balanced by alcohol, good body, intense flavors, agreeable. The finish is persistent with flavors of pear, peach and pineapple. This wine ages in steel tanks.
Food Match: Pasta and risotto with crustaceans, Mushroom soups, Stewed fish



Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Tralivio 2006, Sartarelli (Marches, Italy)
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Tralivio 2006
Sartarelli (Marches, Italy)
Grapes: Verdicchio
Price: € 11.00 Score:
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Tralivio shows a brilliant straw yellow color and nuances of greenish yellow, very transparent. The nose reveals intense, clean, pleasing and refined aromas which start with hints of apple, peach and plum followed by aromas of pineapple, almond, medlar, pear, broom, hawthorn and hints of mineral. The mouth has good correspondence to the nose, a crisp attack and however balanced by alcohol, good body, intense flavors, agreeable. The finish is persistent with flavors of apple, plum and almond. This wine ages for 6 months in steel tanks followed by 4 months of aging in bottle.
Food Match: Broiled fish, Roasted white meat, Fish soups, Fried fish



Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Balciana 2006, Sartarelli (Marches, Italy)
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Balciana 2006
Sartarelli (Marches, Italy)
Grapes: Verdicchio
Price: € 26.00 Score:
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Balciana shows an intense golden yellow color and nuances of golden yellow, very transparent. The nose reveals intense, clean, pleasing, refined and elegant aromas which start with hints of honey, ripe apricot and almond followed by aromas of quince, cooked pear, peach, hazelnut, plum, hawthorn, broom, chamomile and pineapple. The mouth has excellent correspondence to the nose, a crisp attack and pleasing roundness, however balanced by alcohol, full body, intense flavors, agreeable. The finish is very persistent with long flavors of apricot, quince and almond. A well made wine. Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Balciana ages for 8 months in steel tanks followed by 6 months of aging in bottle.
Food Match: Stuffed pasta with mushrooms, Roasted fish, Roasted white meat, Hard cheese






 Editorial  Share this article     Summary of Wine Tasting column Events 
  Wine Tasting Issue 64, June 2008   
Comparing Vino Nobile di MontepulcianoComparing Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Wines of the MonthWines of the Month  Contents 
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