Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is one of six Tuscan wines that carry the supposedly top of the line Italian DOCG classification where the G stands for guaranteed. However, if your wallet is brimming with cash or you don't mind maxing out your credit cards you can find much, much better wines known as Super Tuscans. I won't be reviewing any Super Tuscans, at least not until the economy turns around, but when the wine store had a sale I jumped on the chance to taste the Vino Nobile di Montalcino, a wine supposed to date back to the mid-1300s.
It is based on a local clone of the Sangiovese grape that is found in so many Tuscan wines. You may remember that 2003 was a scorching summer in many parts of the world. Tuscany was not spared and this vintage was not considered to be one of the best. I would relish the opportunity to do a tasting of multiple vintages of this wine.
The city of Montepulciano is in southern Tuscany, not far from the Umbrian border. It's a lovely Tuscan hill town with a Fifteenth Century square, the Piazza Grande. If you are ready to spend a lot try to stay in the Locanda dell'Amorosa which is even older. Before reviewing this wine here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region.
Start with Animelle di Carciofi con Mousse de Mele al Calvados (Artichoke Hearts with Apple-and-Calvados Mousse). For a second course, eat Umbrichelli alla Norcina (Handmade Spaghetti with Cream-and-Sausage Sauce). For dessert indulge in Cantucci (Almond Biscuits dipped in Vino Santo, a Tuscan dessert wine).
It is based on a local clone of the Sangiovese grape that is found in so many Tuscan wines. You may remember that 2003 was a scorching summer in many parts of the world. Tuscany was not spared and this vintage was not considered to be one of the best. I would relish the opportunity to do a tasting of multiple vintages of this wine.
The city of Montepulciano is in southern Tuscany, not far from the Umbrian border. It's a lovely Tuscan hill town with a Fifteenth Century square, the Piazza Grande. If you are ready to spend a lot try to stay in the Locanda dell'Amorosa which is even older. Before reviewing this wine here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region.
Start with Animelle di Carciofi con Mousse de Mele al Calvados (Artichoke Hearts with Apple-and-Calvados Mousse). For a second course, eat Umbrichelli alla Norcina (Handmade Spaghetti with Cream-and-Sausage Sauce). For dessert indulge in Cantucci (Almond Biscuits dipped in Vino Santo, a Tuscan dessert wine).
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