Tuscany Wine Trail

Vino Nobile ~ Wines of Distinction

March 13, 2013 by Deborah Mines

Contucci Palace - right side of piazza; Entrance to Il Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano - left of well — Contucci Palace – right side of piazza;
Entrance to Il Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano – left of well

So what’s in a name? The name, Vino Nobile, refers to a “noble” wine of great quality and dates back to the mid-18th century. Vino Nobile was considered the prize wine of many aristocratic families in the Montepulciano area, so hence its name. In 1828, Giuseppe Contucci, one of the fore fathers of the promotion of Vino Nobile, sparked international interest in the Italian and foreign wine markets.

The Contucci Palace is located in the Piazza Grande and is a stellar example of Renaissance period architecture. The Contucci Palace wine cellars are the only wine cellars in the historic centro of Montepulciano that houses a full working wine production facility. Visitors can tour the cellars and then visit the fantastic wine shop, Contucci Cantina, located on the first floor of the magnificent Contucci Palace. The wine tasting list is extensive, and the wines are superb! One of my favorite wines is the 2008 Mulinvecchio Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. [Read more…]

Tenuta Valdipiatta – Montepulciano DOCG

March 6, 2013 by Deborah Mines

Grapevines as far as you can see... — Sangiovese grapevines as far as you can see…

While there are many excellent tasting rooms and wine cellars in the historic town of Montepulciano itself, I wanted to experience an “authentic wine cellar tour” in the heartland of the famed Vino Nobile wine growing region.

As there are over 72 bottlers in the Montepulciano wine consortium, who better to ask for a winery recommendation than the hostess at The Consorzio del Vino Montepulciano? As hoped, the hostess was more than happy to arrange a same day, private cellar tour and wine tasting at a boutique winery called Tenuta Valdipiatta, just outside the medieval walled town.

Roughly translated, Tenuta Valdipiatta means Estate in the Flat Valley….in other words, miles of wide-open rows of gorgeous Sangiovese grapes! Several winding roads later, our GPS led us down a long dusty dirt road toward Tenuta Valdipiatta in the wine-growing area known as Gracciano. [Read more…]

Enoteca Consorzio Del Vino Nobile – Montepulciano

February 10, 2013 by Deborah Mines

I highly recommend starting your day at the Enoteca Consorzio Del Vino Nobile in centro (historic center) Montepulciano. The Consorzio is located on the lower level of the Palazzo del Capitano in the renown Piazza Grande, across from the duomo (church).

There you can taste the wines from all 230 members of Montepulciano’s Consorzio and with any luck, plan a same day cellar tour and private tasting at a local vintner.

Appointments to tour the cellars must be made in advance as most wineries in Tuscany do not accept “drop-ins” and some wineries are closed to visitors.

It is standard practice to tour the cellars and grounds before wine tasting, (oftentimes the winemaker will actually lead the tour).

Tours are routinely conducted in English, Italian or French, followed by a semi-private wine tasting in a small reception room. Tour prices vary according to the number and types of wines sampled.

Of course, Montepulciano is best known for its Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, but the Rosso di Montepulciano and the Vin Santo are also widely cultivated and promoted and can be sampled at many of the local wineries and enotecas. [Read more…]

The Majestic Castello di Brolio – Chianti DOCG

January 26, 2013 by Deborah Mines

Castello di Brolio’s museum houses the collections of valuable family weapons, musical instruments, and fossil and mineral collections of Barone Bettino Ricasoli.

The vast views over the vineyards and valley below the Castello di Brolio are unsurpassed! Castello di Brolio has dominated the southern Chianti Classico countryside for more than ten centuries. The property has remained in the Ricasoli family since 1141 and is still used as a summer home for the current Ricasoli baron and family.

Visitors are free to roam through the English woods and stroll around the Renaissance gardens to take in the breathtaking views of glorious Chianti.

A guided tour of the castle museum and grounds includes a wine tasting for approximately 8 euros. The staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable; shipping can also be arranged and is efficiently handled. I highly recommend Barone Ricasoli’s 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva as a fine representation of the regional Chianti riserva wines and the 2011 Albia Rose which was very refreshing and surprisingly dry. Of course, you can’t go wrong with the 2010 Chianti Classico for every day wine. [Read more…]