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The winegrowers of the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano appellation are officially allowed to indicate the twelve sub-regions on the label from the 2021 vintage. The approximately 300,000 bottles will go on sale from 1 January 2025. The geographical units called UGA (unità geografica aggiuntiva) are: Pieve Cervognano, Pieve Caggiole, Pieve Gracciano, Pieve Le Grazie, Pieve Argiano, Pieve Valardegna, Pieve Cerliana, Pieve Sant'Albino, Pieve Valiano, Pieve Badia, Pieve San Biagio as well as Pieve Ascianello. They are based on the historical parishes into which the production area was divided since the Middle Ages.
The UGAs are not hierarchically structured and do not represent a classification, but serve to differentiate within the production area. All twelve sub-regions are on an equal footing. The geographical subdivision enables a more precise identification of the origin.
However, stricter production rules also apply to Vino Nobile with indication of the UGA. For example, only grapes from a vineyard that is at least 15 years old may be used to produce a Pieve Nobile. The varietal composition provides for at least 85 per cent Sangiovese. In addition, up to 15 percent of other autochthonous varieties such as Canaiolo, Mammolo and Ciliegiolo are permitted, but only five percent of Colorino. International and white varieties are not permitted. The minimum ageing period is 36 months, of which at least twelve months in wooden barrels and twelve months in the bottle. No cask wine trade is allowed with Pieve-Nobile: Only those who have produced it may also bottle it. The maximum yield per hectare is 7,000 kilograms.
In recent years, more and more Italian appellations have opted for a geographical subdivision of their growing area. For example, Barolo and Barbaresco, Soave and, more recently, Chianti Classico already have additional geographical units to emphasise the terroir idea.
(ru / Winenews, Merum)
Cru in Piedmontese - The site designations of Barolo and Barbaresco