Rosso di Montepulciano Salterio 2024

The Tenuta Trerose - Rosso di Montepulciano Salterio cuvée comes from Valiano di Montepulciano, on the border between the communes of Montepulciano and Cortona, in south-eastern Tuscany. The vines, around ten years old, are planted on the gentle hills overlooking the Val di Chiana, on sandy and silty-clay soils. The climate, hot and sunny in summer but refreshed by cool nights, allows Sangiovese, known here as Prugnolo Gentile, to ripen fully while keeping freshness and fruit.

The Prugnolo Gentile, complemented by a little Colorino, comes from vines trained in cordon de Royat, at a density of 5,000 vines per hectare and with controlled yields. After vinification, the wine is aged for around six months in large 100-hectolitre French oak vats (foudres), which respect the fruit without marking it, then it is refined for a further three months in bottle before release.

This wine reveals notes of cherry, raspberry, strawberry, redcurrant, plum, violet, pepper and cinnamon. The fresh, lightly spiced nose highlights crunchy red fruit. The light, supple palate is highly drinkable, with fine tannins and a fruity, 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!