Rosso di Montepulciano 2024

The Carpineto - Rosso di Montepulciano cuvée is produced in the historic territory of Montepulciano, in the province of Siena, in south-eastern Tuscany. The vines are terraced between 300 and 350 metres above sea level, on slopes facing mainly south. They take root in a well-drained, sandy alluvial substrate of moderately alkaline character. The climate, hot and sunny in summer and refreshed by cooler nights, allows the local Sangiovese, Prugnolo Gentile, to ripen fully while keeping fruit and freshness.

The Prugnolo Gentile, complemented by Canaiolo and other authorised grape varieties, is harvested when ripe then vinified as a red wine. Skin maceration lasts ten to twelve days, at temperatures between 25 and 30 °C, in order to extract colour, fruit and supple tannins. The wine is then bottled young, without prolonged barrel ageing, to retain all the freshness and liveliness that characterise this appellation.

This wine reveals notes of cherry, strawberry, raspberry, plum, violet, undergrowth, pepper and liquorice. The intensely vinous nose is dominated by red fruit. The fruity, young and fresh palate rests on light tannins and lovely liveliness, through to a gourmand, easy-drinking finish.

Ah, Italy, what a beautiful, hedonistic country, the land of la dolce vita, but how difficult it is to understand its wine industry! The key to understanding the appellation system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous nation, as each region has its own appellation system. Italy can offer wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, bottles brimming with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless, characterless wines sold under their most commercially useful and prestigious name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco, and many others... But let's talk a little history. Viticulture in Italy dates back to antiquity and originated in Greece. The Etruscans are said to have introduced the vine, and Greek immigrants improved and modified the grape varieties, subsequently calling the country "Oenotria": the land of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life, and certain regions already distinguished themselves by the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible mark of their conquest. Today, Italy is the world's largest wine producer, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic zones. The northern mountains have a rather harsh mountain climate. The plains of the "central boot" are characterized by a continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the southern part of the Italian boot, the Mediterranean climate prevails, with very hot and dry summers, not forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In short, Italy produces a wide variety of wines thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originated in its own lands. It is a country as complex as its wines, which deserve to be explored!