Rosso di Montepulciano (Italy)
Rosso di Montepulciano is a red wine from Montepulciano in Tuscany.
It is made with minimum 70% Sangiovese grapes (10%–20% Canaiolo) and aged in oak barrels for 1 year.
Rosso di Montepulciano Flavors
Primary flavors are Sour Cherries and Wild Berries, with hints of Herbs, Flowers (Violets), Spices, Tea, and Minerals.
 Red Cherry |
 Strawberry |
 Raspberry |
 Cranberry |
Matured Sangiovese wines have flavors of Dark Berries, Black Cherry, Plum, and Tomato.
 Blackberry |
 Black Cherry |
 Plum |
 Tomato |
 Herbs |
 Violets |
 Spices |
 Tea Leaves |
Tertiary Flavors from Aging:
 Vanilla |
 Coffee |
 Cinnamon |
 Tobacco |
Rosso di Montepulciano Profile
Brunello di Montalcino is known to have good power, juicy fruits and soft tannins:
| BODY: | Medium Plus |
| TANNINS: | Medium |
| FRUIT: | Medium |
| ACIDITY: | Medium Plus |
| ALCOHOL: | 15% ABV |
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Serving temperature: 17-18°C (63-64°F) |
Rosso di Montepulciano Food Pairing
Rosso di Montepulciano pairs well with both Italian and International food.
It loves Rich Pasta Dishes, Tomato Sauces, Stews and Mushroom Sauces.
 Pasta |
 Risotto |
 Ham |
 Salumi |
 Pizza |
 Hamburger |
 Chicken |
 Turkey |
 Sausages |
 Rabbit |
 Pork |
 Wild Boar |
 Lamb |
 Veal |
 Game |
 Beef |
Excellent Pairings
Grilled Vegetables.
Cured Meat. Prosciutto. Salami.
Tomato Sauce. Meat Sauce.
Truffle Sauce. Mushroom Sauce.
Rich Pasta. Rich Risotto. Pasta Cabonara.
Pasta Arrabbiata. Pasta with Truffles.
Rich Pizza. Pizza Picante. Lasagna.
Poultry. Rich Chicken. Turkey. Rabbit.
Hamburger. Sausages. Veal.
Stew. Wild Boar Stew. Ox Tail Stew.
Pork (Herb Grilled).
Lamb. Lamb Chops with Rosemary).
Red Meat. Braises. Roast Beef. Game.
Tuscan Specialities
Ribollita (Hearthy Soup).
Bistecca Fiorentina (Florentine Steak).
Risotto (with Meat or Mushroom Sauce).
Polenta with Black Truffle.
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms.
The Ideal Glass for Rosso di Montepulciano
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The Bordeaux Glass was designed for enjoying fuller-bodied, tannic red wines. They are taller than other red wine glasses, and has a slimmer bowl. The tall size allows the bouquet of the wine to develop, smooth out rough edges, play down tannins, and allow the wine to achieve balance. The slimmer bowl directs the wine to the back of your mouth for a maximum taste. |
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About Rosso di Montepulciano DOC
Rosso di Montepulciano DOC is a younger brother of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG. Both are from Tuscany. Both are made with minimum 70% Sangiovese grapes.
Rosso di Montepulciano DOC classification was created in 1989 to create a wine that needed less aging than Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG.
The DOC requires to spend only 6 months in oak and 1 year total aging before release.
This classification enables the producers to make money from the DOC while waiting for the DOCG wine to age!
The Name Confusion
There are 3 Italian red wines using the Montepulciano name.
Two from the Toscana region and one from the Abruzzo region:
- Rosso di Montepulciano DOC (Tuscany)
- Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG (Tuscany)
- Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC (Abruzzo)
In Tuscany, Montepulciano is a Village.
In Abruzzo, Montepulciano is a Grape.
There is a worldwide confusion about this.
In Tuscany
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG is a red wine from the city of Montepulciano.
It is made from Sangiovese grapes (Tuscany's king grape).
In Abruzzo
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC is red wine from Abruzzo.
It is made from Montepulciano grapes.
A lower price and a famous name, is a huge advantage for the Abruzzo wine.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Rosso di Montepulciano should not be confused with Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, a red wine made from the Montepulciano grape in the Abruzzo region of Italy.
Latest News
Frustrated by the confusion, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG has recently changed its name to Vino Nobile DOCG.
Sangiovese DOC(G) Regions
The Sangiovese wines from Toscana (Tuscany) are world famous.
Montalcino, Toscana
Rosso di Montalcino DOC - 100% Sangiovese
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG - 100% Sangiovese
Montepulciano, Toscana
Rosso di Montepulciano DOC -Min 70% Sangiovese
Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG - Min 70% Sangiovese
Chianti, Toscana
Chianti DOCG - Min 70% Sangiovese
Chianti Classico DOCG - Min 80% Sangiovese
Other Toscana Regions
Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG - 90-100% Sangiovese
Suvereto Sangiovese DOCG - 85-100% Sangiovese
Morellino di Scansano DOCG - 85-100% Sangiovese
Carmignano DOCG - Min 50% Sangiovese
Emilia-Romagna
Sangiovese di Romagna DOC - 100% Sangiovese
Umbria
Montefalco DOC - 60-80% Sangiovese
Torgiano Riserva DOCG - Min 70% Sangiovese
Body Summary
Medium Body: Chianti. Sangiovese di Romagna.
Medium to Full: Chianti Classico. Rosso di Montalcino. Rosso di Montepulciano. Morellino di Scansano. Montefalco.
Full Body: Brunello di Montalcino. Nobile di Montepulciano. Montecucco Sangiovese. Suvereto Sangiovese. Torgiano Riserva. Carmignano.
Wine Region Toscana
Toscana is famous for the majestetic city of Firenze
Ponte Vecchio in Firenze
Black Grapes |
White Grapes |
65% Sangiovese |
6% Trebbiano |
Rosé Wines |
Sweet Wines |
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Soil
Soft and crumbly, marl-like clay-limestone and dense sandstone in the Apennine foothills.
Sandy clay around San Gimignano.
Gravelly clay and sandy soils in the Bolgheri and Maremma areas.
Climate
The climate is Mediterranean with dry, hot summers; warm springs; and mild, rainy autumns and winters.
Variations in altitude, exposition, and diurnal temperatures in the foothills contribute to climatic conditions that help balance the sugar, acidity, and aromatics in the grapes.
Coastal areas like Bolgheri and Val di Cornia tend to be more temperate.