Tuscany Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Serve in a Zinfandel Wine Glass
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a red wine from Tuscany produced primarily from the Sangiovese grape (locally known as Prugnolo Gentile); it may be exclusively Sangiovese, although most examples are blended with other red grapes. These include local varieties such as Colorino or Canaiolo or so-called international varieties such as Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, to name only three.
The wines are medium-full and often aged in small oak barrels, although some traditional producers use large wooden casks. These are regal red wines with excellent complexity and tend to drink well after four or five years. Top versions drink well for up to twenty years. Serve with game, rich red meats and rich pastas.
The name of the wine literally means the "noble wine" of Montepulciano, an historic town of the arts in south eastern Tuscany. As the vineyards were originally owned by the nobility, the "noble" moniker was associated with the wine.