Life is Grape: Le zone del chianti fiorentino e senese

By Darby Dicks
It is no secret that the Tuscan region of Italy produces some of the most notable
wines in the world. Including the ubiquitous Chianti region within its borders and
producing the pervasive Sangiovese grape, Tuscany also is home to two well-known
and beloved wines: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino.
The two hill towns of Montepulciano and Montalcino are located in southern
Tuscany nearby the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Val dOrcia, located between Siena
and Monte Amiata. The two towns offer up views of vineyards blanketing the
countryside where grapes for the two famous wines are produced.
Montepulciano is noteworthy not only for its wine, but for the local cuisine as
well as its medieval and Renaissance architecture. Medieval architecture is also
prevalent in Montalcino, which was likely settled in Etruscan times. The town overlooks
the surrounding Asso, Orcia, and Ombrone valleys from its hillside location, and is
known for its production of various high-quality wines including Rosso di Montalcino,
Moscadello di Montalcino, SantAntimo, and Vin Santo.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is was first mentioned in historical documents in
780 A.D, and has been a favorite among the Italian upper class which gives the wine
its name. Enjoyed by the Sienese aristocracy during the 15 th century and later praised
by Pope Paul III, it has been called the king of all wines and admired by writers
Francesco Redi, Voltaire, and Alexandre Dumas. This wine is made primarily using the
regions Sangiovese grapes produced in the hills surrounding Montepulciano, and
complemented with other regional varieties. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is aged fro a
minimum of 24 months and in its finished state, contains flavors of various fruits
including cherry, plum, and strawberry.
Montalcino is famous for its unique Brunello, which unlike Vino Nobile di
Montepulciano, is produced exclusively with Sangiovese grapes. Brunello di Montalcino
was first created in the late 1800s by Clemente Santi and was a rare wine until the 20 th
century due to the select few producers. Since its first production, the number of
producers of the wine drastically increased to over 200 in the year 2000, and Brunello
di Montalcino became the first wine to have Denominazione di Origine Controllata e
Garantint (DOCG) status in 1980.
Today, both Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano have
gained DOCG status and become two of the most well-known and well-loved wines
produced in Italy.