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Vino Nobile di Montepulciano occupies a special place in the history of Italian winemaking. It was the first appellation in Italy to be awarded DOCG status, thereby setting early standards for quality and provenance. Nevertheless, Montepulciano long remained in the shadow of some of its more famous neighbours. Today, the region is undergoing a remarkable transformation that is bringing the potential of its vineyards into even sharper focus.
At the heart of this new phase lies the introduction of the so-called "Pieve" This represents far more than just an additional designation of origin. Following decades of geological, historical and viticultural research, the area has been divided into twelve clearly defined geographical units. Their names derive from historical parishes that shaped the territory many centuries ago. Today, they represent different soils, microclimates and distinct characteristics of the Prugnolo Gentile – as Sangiovese is traditionally known in Montepulciano.
The idea behind it is as simple as it is compelling: the aim is to make the wine’s origin even more clearly apparent. Each Pieve has its own character, its own distinctive style and its own interpretation of the terroir. This ambition is underpinned by stricter production guidelines that go well beyond the traditional requirements. The result is wines that express their origin with exceptional clarity.
The 2021 vintage, in particular, impressively demonstrates the potential of this concept. The first Pieve bottlings from various renowned producers illustrate just how differently individual vineyards within the same appellation can present themselves. Sometimes elegance and finesse take centre stage; at other times, it is structure, depth or mineral tension. What they all have in common is the aim to reflect their respective place of origin as authentically as possible.
This marks the start of a new chapter for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The Pieve wines are not intended as a substitute for the classic Annata or Riserva, but rather as an additional dimension to the interpretation of the terroir. They invite you to take a more nuanced look at Montepulciano and to discover the diversity of a region that has long been underestimated.
Discover them now: the new Pieve wines impressively demonstrate just how multifaceted Vino Nobile di Montepulciano can be – and why this historic appellation deserves more attention today than ever before. SUPERIORE.DE