Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC and Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC Riserva are two of three sweet dried grape white wine denominations from the pre-dominantly red wine Tuscan commune of Montepulciano (of Rosso di Montepulciano DOC & Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG fame), the other being Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC Occhio di Pernice. Montepulciano’s Vin Santo wines are made from 70-100% Trebbiano Toscano plus up to 30% Malvasia Bianca Lunga Toscana or Grechetto Bianco or other non-aromatic white grapes authorised in Siena province in Tuscany. The DOC dates from 16th November 1996. It was last revised on 10th November 2010.

Winegrowing: Vine density: A minimum of 3,300 vines per hectare (1,336 vines per acre) for plantings post 1996. Yields: 10 tonnes per hectare is the maximum yield for both Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC and Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC Riserva. An additional 20% yield bonus can be applied in ‘favourable years’.

Winemaking: The grapes can be pressed no earlier than December 1st of the year of harvest for Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC (from 01st January for Riserva). Grapes must be harvested with careful sorting and left to air-dry in suitable rooms; partial dehydration with ventilated air is allowed. Sugar content must reach at least 28% after drying for Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC, and at least 33% for Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC Riserva and Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC Occhio di Pernice. Vin Santo di Montepulciano must age three years minimum in wooden casks (‘caratelli’) of between 75-300-litres. Vin Santo di Montepulciano Riserva ages for 5 years in casks no bigger than 125-litres. The minimum alcohol level for any Vin Santo di Montepulciano is 12%. The minimum potential alcohol for Vin Santo di Montepulciano is 17% (20% for Riserva) of which at least 2% must be potential alcohol (3.5% for Riserva). The minimum dry extract is 20g/l (22g/l for riserva). The minimum total acidity is 4.5g/l for both normale and riserva. The maximum level of volatile acidity is 40mg/l for both normale and riserva. The wines must be bottled in the Province of Siena.

Wineries

Certified Biodynamic: Avignonesi.

Certified organic: Croce de Febo. | Godiolo. | MANVI. | Massimo Romeo. | Tenuta Valdipiatta.

No certification: Bindella. | Casale Daviddi. | Crociani. | Dei. | Fanetti-Tenuta Sant’Agnese. | Fattoria del Cerro. | Fattoria Le Casalte. | Gattavecchi. | La Calonica. | La Ciarliana. | Le Bèrne. | Lombardo. | Montemercurio. | Nottola. | Palazzo Vecchio. | Poliziano. | Tiberini. | Tenuta Trerose. | Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano. | Villa S Anna.