Rosso di Montepulciano DOC was granted in 1988, and was last modified in November 2010. It is a dry Sangiovese-based red wine from the town of Montepulciano in Tuscany, the junior sibling to Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG (which see for the list of wineries), coming from exactly the same production zone. Vineyards registered for Rosso di Montepulciano cannot be used for Vino Nobile. Like Rosso di Montalcino DOC it is released early, from 1st March of the year after the harvest instead of two years for the Vino Nobile.
Production zone: The same as for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG.
Grape varieties: Rosso di Montepulciano is made from 85-100% Sangiovese and and optional 0-15% non-aromatic red wine grapes authorised for Tuscany. Maximum yields are 10 tonmes per hectare (compared to 8 for Vino Nobile). Wines can be released from 01 March following the harvest (identical to Rosso di Montalcino DOC). No oak ageing needed. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano may be declassified to Rosso di Montepulciano within 16 months from 01st January following its harvest if it fulfills the conditions laid down in the Rosso di Montepulciano regulations.
Vineyards: 380ha of Rosso di Montepulciano and 1,300 for Vino Nobile.
Wine production: 2018 2.8 thousand tonnes of grapes from 390ha of vines. 2.5 million bottles sold (Source: Consorzio). Rosso is around one third the size (vineyards, wine production) of Vino Nobile.
Wineries: See Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG.