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Welcome to Vin Santo di Montepulciano, an Italian DOC that produces an amazing sweet wine in Tuscany! Since 1996, it's been recognized as a DOC wine, but people have been making it here for much longer. Each year, they make about 1,120 cases - not much at all. This small amount shows how carefully local winemakers work on each bottle. Within this area, you will not find wines produced with Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc or Pinot Noir grapes. Instead, Vin Santo wines are steeped in the tradition of grapes like Trebbiano or Sangiovese.
You'll find this wine area right in Tuscany's middle, with Chianti up north and Brunello di Montalcino to the west. What makes wines from here special is how the height of the land, weather, and soil work together.
Grape vines grow between 820 and 1,970 feet high, creating different small weather zones that help the grapes grow well. The area has mild weather—warm in summer and cool in winter—perfect for growing Grechetto, Malvasia, Trebbiano, and Sangiovese grapes.
The ground here has clay mixed with limestone, which allows for excess water to flow away easily and keeps just enough water for the vines to grow good grapes.
The height and weather work together perfectly here. Higher places give grapes more tang and deeper tastes, which you need for sweet wines. Warm days make the grapes sweet, while cool nights keep their fresh taste and smell.
Like everywhere else, changing weather affects wine production in the region. When it gets warmer, grape picking times change, which can affect the wine's taste. Winemakers keep finding new ways to deal with these changes.
Making this wine takes a lot of work and time, especially drying the grapes the old way. But more people around the world want special sweet wines now, which could help make the area more famous.
Winemakers here are trying new things while keeping old traditions. Many now grow grapes without chemicals, which makes purer wine and makes nature-loving buyers happy. They're also getting better at telling people what makes their wine special, helping more people around the world discover it.
Vineyard Hectares
WINERIES
GROWING DEGREE DAYS
The Vin Santo di Montepulciano area shows off the best of Tuscany. Here you'll find gentle hills covered with grape vines, old towns, and beautiful stone houses that have watched over wine-making for hundreds of years. While the Vin Santo wine is amazing, the whole area offers beautiful views and rich culture.
The Vin Santo di Montepulciano region enjoys ideal conditions for wine production. In Tuscany, the combination of warm summers and mild winters creates a unique environment for exceptional wines. The seasonal weather alterations occur perfectly to support healthy grape growth.
In July and August, the abundant sunshine helps the grapes become sweet and aromatic. As autumn arrives, cooler temperatures enhance the grapes' enticing fragrances. The area receives approximately 690 millimetres of rainfall annually, primarily in October, providing the grapevines with essential moisture without excessive water intake.
Visit between late September and early October to experience the highlight of the harvest season. Witness the traditional process of grape picking and winemaking. Many wineries host special events during this period, offering valuable insights into the art of winemaking.
If spring is more to your liking, consider coming from May to June. This is when the grape vines are lush and green, and winemakers are eager to give you a tour. The pleasant weather allows for comfortable walks through the vineyards and enjoyable outdoor wine tastings.
Whether you visit during harvest or in spring, you'll encounter something unique. Each season provides a fresh perspective on the fascinating process of wine production.
The Vin Santo di Montepulciano region features two primary soil types that contribute to its unique wines: tuffaceous-clay and sandy soils. Each type supports grape growth in distinct ways, imparting individual flavours to the wines.
Vin Santo di Montepulciano gets its special taste from mixing different types of grapes. Here, you will not find your typical Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc or Pinot Noir grapes. Instead, the main ones are Grechetto, Malvasia, Trebbiano, and Sangiovese (a grape that is also widely used in table wines, known as Vino da Tavola in Italy). Each grape adds its own taste to make the wine unique.
Montepulciano's dessert wines are truly remarkable. There are three primary types: Vin Santo, Occhio di Pernice, and Riserva. Each variety is crafted using unique combinations of Grechetto, Malvasia, Trebbiano, and Sangiovese grapes.
These wines are special because of how they're made and where they come from. They dry the grapes for months, then age the wine in small wooden barrels. The hills and weather of Montepulciano help too.
Visit places like Cantine Dei, Borgo Tre Rose, or Talosa - they're known for making great Vin Santo.
You can visit the vineyards to see how they make the wine. Try to come during harvest time for special festivals.
These wines taste great with a wide range of Italian dishes:
Stay at a farm hotel (agriturismo) or a small hotel in the vineyards. You'll be right where they make the wine and can enjoy the beautiful views.
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