Montepulciano (grape)
Encyclopedia
Montepulciano is a red Italian wine
grape variety that is most noted for being the primary grape behind the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) wine Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane (as well its larger DOC outside of Colline Teramane) and the Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) wines of Rosso Conero and Rosso Piceno.
It should not be confused with the similarly named Tuscan wine Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
, which is made from predominantly Sangiovese
and is named for the village it is produced in
, rather than for containing any Montepulciano grapes in the blend.
The grape is widely planted throughout central and southern Italy, most notably in Abruzzi, Latium
, Marche
, Molise
, Umbria
and Apulia
, and is a permitted variety in DOC wines produced in 20 of Italy's 95 provinces
. Montepulciano is rarely found in northern Italy because the grape has a tendency to ripen late and can be excessively "green" if harvested too early.
When fully ripened, Montepulciano can produce deeply colored wines, with moderate acidity and noticeable extract and alcohol levels.
, Montepulciano likely originated in Tuscany
and may be related to Sangiovese
of which the two grapes are often confused for each other. Despite this possible origin, the Montepulciano grape still does not seem to have any tangible connection to the Montepulciano village and the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano beyond what Robinson describes as "linguistics
". Furthermore, despite being widely planted throughout central Italy, the Montepulciano grape is not even grown in the vineyards around the village of Montepulciano.
grape variety. It is a recommend planting in 20 of Italy's 95 provinces and is a permitted or required grape in the red wines of DOCs in Apulia, Molise, Latium, Umbria, Marche, Emilia-Romagna
, Abruzzi and Tuscany. Among the DOCs that are most noted for Montepulciano are Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
in Abruzzi, Rosso Conero and Rosso Piceno in Marche. Though it is a secondary variety to Uva di Troia
in the Castel Del Monte DOC, wine expert Jancis Robinson the character that Montepulciano contributes to the blend as perhaps "its finest incarnation".
can produce either a deep ruby colored wine or a pink Cerasuolo wine. Compared to most Italian varieties, Montepulciano has moderately low acidity and more mild (i.e. softer) than bitter edged tannins. Wine expert Oz Clarke
describes Montepulciano as producing a "round, plummy and weighty red with ripe tannins, good acidity and a low price tag." Jancis Robinson evaluates Montepulciano as a "promising variety" that produces smooth, drinkable wines that can improve for three or four years after vintage
.
Italian wine
Italian wine is wine produced in Italy, a country which is home to some of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world. Italy is the world's largest wine producer, responsible for approximately one-fifth of world wine production in 2005. Italian wine is exported largely around the world and has...
grape variety that is most noted for being the primary grape behind the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) wine Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane (as well its larger DOC outside of Colline Teramane) and the Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) wines of Rosso Conero and Rosso Piceno.
It should not be confused with the similarly named Tuscan wine Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a red wine with Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita status produced in the vineyards surrounding the town of Montepulciano, Italy. The wine is made primarily from the Sangiovese grape varietal , blended with Canaiolo Nero and small amounts of other...
, which is made from predominantly Sangiovese
Sangiovese
Sangiovese is a red Italian wine grape variety whose name derives from the Latin sanguis Jovis, "the blood of Jove"...
and is named for the village it is produced in
Montepulciano
Montepulciano is a medieval and Renaissance hill town and comune in the province of Siena in southern Tuscany, in Italy. Montepulciano, with an elevation of 605 m, sits on a high limestone ridge. By car it is 13 km E of Pienza; 70 km SE of Siena, 124 km SE of Florence, and...
, rather than for containing any Montepulciano grapes in the blend.
The grape is widely planted throughout central and southern Italy, most notably in Abruzzi, Latium
Latium
Lazio is one of the 20 administrative regions of Italy, situated in the central peninsular section of the country. With about 5.7 million residents and a GDP of more than 170 billion euros, Lazio is the third most populated and the second richest region of Italy...
, Marche
Marche
The population density in the region is below the national average. In 2008, it was 161.5 inhabitants per km2, compared to the national figure of 198.8. It is highest in the province of Ancona , and lowest in the province of Macerata...
, Molise
Molise
Molise is a region of Southern Italy, the second smallest of the regions. It was formerly part of the region of Abruzzi e Molise and now a separate entity...
, Umbria
Umbria
Umbria is a region of modern central Italy. It is one of the smallest Italian regions and the only peninsular region that is landlocked.Its capital is Perugia.Assisi and Norcia are historical towns associated with St. Francis of Assisi, and St...
and Apulia
Apulia
Apulia is a region in Southern Italy bordering the Adriatic Sea in the east, the Ionian Sea to the southeast, and the Strait of Òtranto and Gulf of Taranto in the south. Its most southern portion, known as Salento peninsula, forms a high heel on the "boot" of Italy. The region comprises , and...
, and is a permitted variety in DOC wines produced in 20 of Italy's 95 provinces
Provinces of Italy
In Italy, a province is an administrative division of intermediate level between a municipality and a region .-Overview:...
. Montepulciano is rarely found in northern Italy because the grape has a tendency to ripen late and can be excessively "green" if harvested too early.
When fully ripened, Montepulciano can produce deeply colored wines, with moderate acidity and noticeable extract and alcohol levels.
Origins and confusion with other Montepulciano wines
According to wine expert Jancis RobinsonJancis Robinson
Jancis Mary Robinson OBE, MW is a British wine critic, journalist and editor of wine literature. She currently writes a weekly column for the Financial Times, and writes for her website jancisrobinson.com...
, Montepulciano likely originated in Tuscany
Tuscany
Tuscany is a region in Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres and a population of about 3.75 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ....
and may be related to Sangiovese
Sangiovese
Sangiovese is a red Italian wine grape variety whose name derives from the Latin sanguis Jovis, "the blood of Jove"...
of which the two grapes are often confused for each other. Despite this possible origin, the Montepulciano grape still does not seem to have any tangible connection to the Montepulciano village and the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano beyond what Robinson describes as "linguistics
Linguistics
Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. Linguistics can be broadly broken into three categories or subfields of study: language form, language meaning, and language in context....
". Furthermore, despite being widely planted throughout central Italy, the Montepulciano grape is not even grown in the vineyards around the village of Montepulciano.
Wine regions
After Sangiovese, Montepulciano is Italy's second most widely dispersed indigenousIndigenous (ecology)
In biogeography, a species is defined as native to a given region or ecosystem if its presence in that region is the result of only natural processes, with no human intervention. Every natural organism has its own natural range of distribution in which it is regarded as native...
grape variety. It is a recommend planting in 20 of Italy's 95 provinces and is a permitted or required grape in the red wines of DOCs in Apulia, Molise, Latium, Umbria, Marche, Emilia-Romagna
Emilia-Romagna
Emilia–Romagna is an administrative region of Northern Italy comprising the two historic regions of Emilia and Romagna. The capital is Bologna; it has an area of and about 4.4 million inhabitants....
, Abruzzi and Tuscany. Among the DOCs that are most noted for Montepulciano are Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a red Italian wine made from the Montepulciano wine grape in the Abruzzo region of east-central Italy. The wine was classified as Denominazione di origine controllata in 1968 with a separate Denominazione di origine controllata e Garantita for wine produced around...
in Abruzzi, Rosso Conero and Rosso Piceno in Marche. Though it is a secondary variety to Uva di Troia
Uva di Troia
Uva di Troia is a red wine grape variety grown in the Italian region of Puglia, particularly in the areas around Andria and Barletta, and in the Province of Bari....
in the Castel Del Monte DOC, wine expert Jancis Robinson the character that Montepulciano contributes to the blend as perhaps "its finest incarnation".
DOCs and DOCGs
The following is a list of DOCs and DOCGs that include Montepulciano as a permitted grape variety, along with other grapes that may be included in the blend under varying percentages that are regulated under the DOC/G label. The wines of which Montepulciano must account for a majority of the blend are in bold.- Alezio DOC – (Apulia) can be blended with NegroamaroNegroamaroNegroamaro, also Negro amaro, is a red wine grape variety native to southern Italy. It is grown almost exclusively in Puglia and particularly in Salento, the peninsula which can be visualised as the “heel” of Italy. The grape can produce wines very deep in color. Wines made from Negroamaro tend to...
, SangioveseSangioveseSangiovese is a red Italian wine grape variety whose name derives from the Latin sanguis Jovis, "the blood of Jove"...
and MalvasiaMalvasiaMalvasia is a group of wine grape varieties grown historically in the Mediterranean region, Balearic islands, Canary Islands and the island of Madeira, but now grown in many of the winemaking regions of the world... - Biferno DOC – (Molise) Must be 60–70% of the wine. Can be blended with Trebbiano Toscano (in roséRoséA rosé is a type of wine that has some of the color typical of a red wine, but only enough to turn it pink. The pink color can range from a pale orange to a vivid near-purple, depending on the grapes and wine making techniques.- Production techniques :There are three major ways to produce rosé...
and red wines) and AglianicoAglianicoAglianico is a black grape grown in the Basilicata and Campania regions of Italy. The vine originated in Greece and was brought to the south of Italy by Greek settlers. The name may be a corruption of Vitis hellenica, Latin for "Greek vine"... - Brindisi DOC – (Apulia) can be blended with Negroamaro, Sangiovese and Malvasia
- Cacc'e mmitte di Lucera DOC – (Apulia) can be blended with Sumarello, Sangiovese, Malvasia, Trebbiano and Bombino BiancoBombino BiancoBombino Bianco is a white Italian wine grape variety planted primarily along Italy's Adriatic coast line, most notably in Apulia. The vine is prone to high yields.-Synonyms:...
- Castel Del Monte DOC – (Apulia) can be blended with Uva di TroiaUva di TroiaUva di Troia is a red wine grape variety grown in the Italian region of Puglia, particularly in the areas around Andria and Barletta, and in the Province of Bari....
, Sangiovese, Aglianico and Pinot noirPinot NoirPinot noir is a black wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. The name may also refer to wines created predominantly from Pinot noir grapes... - Castelli Romani DOC – (Latium) can be blended with Cesanese, MerlotMerlotMerlot is a darkly blue-coloured wine grape, that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. The name Merlot is thought to derive from the Old French word for young blackbird, merlot, a diminutive of merle, the blackbird , probably from the color of the grape. Merlot-based wines...
, Sangiovese and Nero Buono - Cerveteri DOC – (Latium) can be blended with Sangiovese, Cesanese, Canaiolo Nero, Carignan and BarberaBarberaBarbera is a red Italian wine grape variety that, as of 2000, was the third most-planted red grape variety in Italy . It produces good yields and is known for deep color, low tannins and high levels of acid...
- Cesanese di Olevano Romano DOC – (Latium) can be blended with Cesanese, Sangiovese, Barbera, Trebbiano and Bambino Bianco
- Colli Amerini DOC – (Umbria) can be blended with Sangiovese, CiliegioloCiliegioloCiliegiolo is a variety of red wine grape from Italy, named after the Italian for 'cherry'. It is a minor component of traditional blends such as Chianti, but interest has revived in recent years...
, Canaiolo, Merlot and Barbera - Colli Etruschi Viterbesi DOC – (Latium) can be blended with Sangiovese
- Colli Maceratesi DOC – (Marche) can be blended with Sangiovese, Cabernet SauvignonCabernet SauvignonCabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties. It is grown in nearly every major wine producing country among a diverse spectrum of climates from Canada's Okanagan Valley to Lebanon's Beqaa Valley...
, Cabernet FrancCabernet FrancCabernet Franc is one of the major black grape varieties worldwide. It is principally grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also be vinified alone - as in the Loire's Chinon...
, Ciliegiolo, Lacrima, Merlot and Vernaccia Nera - Colli Martani DOC – (Umbria) can be blended with Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, Barbera, Merlot, Trebbiano, GrechettoGrechettoGrechetto or Grechetto Bianco is an Italian wine grape of Greek origins. The grape is planted throughout central Italy, particularly in the Umbria region where it is used in the Denominazione di origine controllata wine Orvieto. It is primarily a blending grape, though some varietal wine is also...
, Malvasia, GarganegaGarganegaGarganega is a variety of white Italian wine grape widely grown in the Veneto region of North East Italy, particularly in the provinces of Verona and Vicenza. It is Italy's 6th most widely planted white grape...
and VerdicchioVerdicchioVerdicchio is a white Italian wine grape variety grown primarily in the Marche region of central Italy. The name Verdicchio derives from verde and refers to the slight green/yellow hue that wines made from the grape can have.... - Colli Perugini DOC – (Umbria) can be blended with Sangiovese, Ciligiolo, Barbera and Merlot
- Colli Pesaresi DOC – (Marche) can be blended with Sangiovese and Ciligiolo
- Colli di Rimini DOC – (Emilia-Romagna) can be blended with Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Barbera, TerranoTerrano (grape)Terrano or Teran is a Slovenian dark-skinned grape varieties. It is a member of the Refosco family of grape varieties, which also includes Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso....
and AncellottaAncellottaAncellotta is a wine grape variety mainly grown in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, but also in some other parts of north Italy, and in south Switzerland.-Wine regions:... - Collo della Romagna Centrale DOC – (Emilia-Romagna) can be blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Barbera and Merlot
- Colli della Sabina DOC – (Latium) can be blended with Sangiovese
- Controguerra DOC – (Abruzzi) At least 60% of the blend. Can be blended with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc
- Copertino DOC – (Abruzzi) can be blended with Negroamaro, Malvasia and Sangiovese
- Cori DOC – (Latium) can be blended with Nero Buono and Bonvino Nero
- Esino DOC – (Marche) Along with Sangiovese must be at least 60% of the blend with local varieties filling out the rest
- Gioia del Colle DOC – (Apulia) can be blended with Primitivo, Sangiovese, Negroamara and Malvasia
- Lacrima di Morro d'Alba DOC – (Marche) can be blended with Lacrima and Verdicchio
- Leverano DOC – (Apulia) can be blended with Negroamaro, Malvasia and Sangiovese
- Lizzano DOC – (Apulia) can be blended with Negroamaro, Sangiovese, Bombino Nero, Pinot noir and Malvasia
- Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC – (Abruzzi) at 85% of the wine. Can be blended with Sangiovese
- Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane DOCG – (Abruzzi) at least 85% of the wine. Can be blended with Sangiovese
- Nardo DOC – (Apulia) can be blended with Negro Amaro and Malvasia
- Offida DOC – (Marche) at least 50% of the wine. Can be blended with Cabernet Sauvignon
- Orta Nova DOC – (Apulia) can be blended with Uva di Troia, Lambrusco Maestri and Trebbiano.
- Parrina DOC – (Tuscany) can be blended with Sangiovese, Canaiolo and ColorinoColorinoColorino is a red Italian wine grape variety planted primarily in Tuscany. The grape is known for its deep dark coloring and is used primarily as a coloring agent in red blends. In the history of Chianti it played a minor role, mostly for its affinity and use to the governo winemaking technique...
- Pentro di Isernia DOC – (Molise) at least 45–55% of the wine with Sangiovese making up the other component.
- Rosso Barletta DOCRosso Barletta DOCRosso Barletta is a red Italian wine produced in the Denominazione di origine controllata region of Barletta, located in the province of Barletta-Andria-Trani of north-central Apulia. The DOC is permitted to produce red wine only, made primarily from Uva di Troia, and is one of the few wine...
– (Apulia) can be blended with Uva di Troia, Sangiovese and MalbecMalbecMalbec is a purple grape variety used in making red wine. The grapes tend to have an inky dark color and robust tannins, and are long known as one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux wine. The French plantations of Malbec are now found primarily in Cahors in the South West... - Rosso Canosa DOC – (Apulia) can be blended with Uva di Troia and Sangiovese
- Rosso di Cerignola DOC – (Apulia) can be blended with Uva di Troia, Negroamaro, Sangiovese, Barbera, Malbec and Trebbiano
- Rosso Conero DOC – (Marche) at least 85–100% of the wine with Sangiovese making up the other component
- Rosso Orvietano DOC – (Umbria) can be blended with AleaticoAleaticoAleatico is a red wine grape. Ampelographers suspect that Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains may be a mutation of the Aleatico cultivar. Aleatico is notable for being the primary grape in the cult wine Aleatico di Portoferraio made in Elba. It is grown most commonly in the Puglia and Lazio region of...
, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, Merlot, Pinot noir, Sangiovese, Barbera, Cesanese, Colorino and DolcettoDolcettoDolcetto is a black wine grape variety widely grown in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy. The Italian word dolcetto means "little sweet one", but it is not certain that the name originally carried any reference to the grape’s sugar levels: it is possible that it derives from the name of the...
. Can be a varietal with 85% of the blend but that is rarely seen. - Rosso Piceno DOC – (Marche) can be blended with Sangiovese, Trebbiano and Passerino
- San Severo DOC – (Apulia) at least 70–100% of the blend with Sangiovese making up the other component
- Tarquinia DOC – (Latium) either/or with Sangiovese to make up a minimum 60% of the wine. Can be blended with Cesanese
- Torgiano DOC – (Umbria) can be blended with Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Ciliegiolo
- Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG – (Umbria) can ble blend with Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano and Ciliegiolo.
- Velletri DOC – (Lazio) can be blended with Sangiovese, Cesanese, Bombino Nero, Merlot and Ciliegiolo
- Vernaccia di Serrapetrona DOCG – (Marche) can be blend with Vernaccia di Serrapetrona, Sangiovese and Ciligiolo
Viticulture and wines
Montepulciano ripens late and has a tendency to favor producing large yields. The grapes can be plump with a low skin to juice ratio. However, the skin has a fair amount of pigmented tannins and color producing phenols that with macerationMaceration (wine)
Maceration is the winemaking process where the phenolic materials of the grape— tannins, coloring agents and flavor compounds— are leached from the grape skins, seeds and stems into the must. Maceration is the process by which the red wine receives its red color, since 99% of all grape juice is...
can produce either a deep ruby colored wine or a pink Cerasuolo wine. Compared to most Italian varieties, Montepulciano has moderately low acidity and more mild (i.e. softer) than bitter edged tannins. Wine expert Oz Clarke
Oz Clarke
Robert "Oz" Clarke is a British wine writer, television presenter and broadcaster.-Biography:Clarke’s parents were a chest physician and a nursing sister. He was brought up near Canterbury with a brother and a sister. Clarke became a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral and subsequently won a choral...
describes Montepulciano as producing a "round, plummy and weighty red with ripe tannins, good acidity and a low price tag." Jancis Robinson evaluates Montepulciano as a "promising variety" that produces smooth, drinkable wines that can improve for three or four years after vintage
Vintage
Vintage, in wine-making, is the process of picking grapes and creating the finished product . A vintage wine is one made from grapes that were all, or primarily, grown and harvested in a single specified year. In certain wines, it can denote quality, as in Port wine, where Port houses make and...
.