Wine & Territory: An Ever-Strengthening Combination for Nobile di Montepulciano
Starting from 2025, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano will be on the market with the “Pieve” mention
In the wake of what has already been happening for some time in French viticulture, Italian denominations are also increasingly highlighting on the bond between wine & territory. For Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, this translates into the “Pievi” project, which redraws the production area into 12 micro-zones of historical importance.
Ascianello, Argiano, Badia, Caggiole, Ciarliana, Cervognano, Gracciano, Le Grazie, San Biagio, Sant’Albino, Valardegna and Valiano: these are the 12 Pievi identified by the Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano on the basis of a zoning study carried out already in 1996, starting from the indications contained in the Catasto Leopoldino. The project in fact aims to strenghten not only the territoriality of the production, but also its historical importance.
Technically, the Pievi qualify as Additional Geographic Units (UGA), whose indication on the label allows to locate the production accurately within the 1300 hectares registered as DOCG in the territory of the Municipality of Montepulciano. The first labels, on the market from 2025, will be distributed in approximately 300 thousand bottles, but a significant increase is expected from 2026 (approximately 700 thousand bottles), proving how much local producers are trusting in the innovation of this project.
What changes in the procedural guideline compared to the “basic” Nobile and the Riserva? The Pievi are differentiated by a great variability of soils, exposures and altitudes and the guidelines provides more restrictive criteria, including the obligation of at least 85% Sangiovese and 15% of only native vines: Canaiolo, Mammolo, Colorino, Ciliegiolo. Furthermore, the use of grapes grown in vineyards with at least 15 years of production history and a 3-year refinement period (minimum 1 year in wood and 1 year in bottle) is required.
The project, which aims to increasingly strengthen the deep bond between Montepulciano and viticulture, aspires to represent at least 10% of the production of Vino Nobile from the first vintages on the market.