Some of the things you should know about Montecucco
Ahead of Monday's Montecucco masterclass at London Wine Fair, db looks at some of the key details concerning this wine region in southern Tuscany. The post Some of the things you should know about Montecucco appeared first on The Drinks Business.
Ahead of Monday's Montecucco masterclass at London Wine Fair, db looks at some of the key details concerning this wine region in southern Tuscany.
The masterclass, titled Montecucco Unveiled: The other face of Sangiovese, will take place on Monday 19 May from 12.30pm to 1.30pm at the London Wine Fair Theatre.
During the class, Giovan Battista Basile, president of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Montecucco (which celebrates 25 years since its foundation this year), and db senior staff writer Louis Thomas will discuss the appellation, guiding you through nine wines from the region.
To the west there is the influence of the Tyrrhenian Sea and to the east there is Mount Amiata, a lava dome volcano which (fortunately) last erupted around 300,000 years ago, during the Pleistocene. The soil in the vineyards is mainly composed of fragmented sandstone and lava composites. Vines are cultivated between 200 and 700 metres above sea level.
The masterclass, titled Montecucco Unveiled: The other face of Sangiovese, will take place on Monday 19 May from 12.30pm to 1.30pm at the London Wine Fair Theatre.
During the class, Giovan Battista Basile, president of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Montecucco (which celebrates 25 years since its foundation this year), and db senior staff writer Louis Thomas will discuss the appellation, guiding you through nine wines from the region.
Where is it?
Sandwiched between Montalcino to the north and Morellino di Scansano to the south, Montecucco is in the south of Tuscany, not far from its borders with Lazio and Umbria.
To the west there is the influence of the Tyrrhenian Sea and to the east there is Mount Amiata, a lava dome volcano which (fortunately) last erupted around 300,000 years ago, during the Pleistocene. The soil in the vineyards is mainly composed of fragmented sandstone and lava composites. Vines are cultivated between 200 and 700 metres above sea level.
Some key numbers
- Total area of around 800 hectares, 500ha of which is vineyard.
- Annual production of DOC/DOCG wines is 1 to 1.5 million bottles, but if all the vines in the region were used for DOC/DOCG production, it could reach 5.5 million.
- Most-planted varieties (by area): 61% Sangiovese, 11% Vermentino, 7% Merlot and 5% Ciliegiolo.
- 95% of the DOC/DOCG production is certified as organic.
- 35% of the DOC/DOCG wines produced are for the domestic market.
- Top export markets by volume: Northern and Central Europe (40%) and USA (9%).
Wines
Montecucco Rosso DOC
- Grape yield per hectare: 90 quintals
- Minimum 60% Sangiovese
- Released one year after production
Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG
- Grape yield per hectare: 70 quintals
- Minimum 90% Sangiovese
- 12 months of ageing in wood
- Released two years after production
Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG Riserva
- Grape yield per hectare: 70 quintals
- Minimum 90% Sangiovese
- 24 months of ageing in wood plus a further six in bottle
- Released three years after production
Montecucco Vermentino DOC
- Grape yield per hectare: 110 quintals
- Minimum 85% Vermentino
- Released one year after production
