Description
The Montecucco PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: White, Red, Rosé, Vermentino (grape variety specification), Vin Santo and Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice.
Production Area
The production area of Montecucco PDO is within the territory of the municipalities of Cinigiano, Civitella Paganico, Campagnatico, Castel del Piano, Roccalbegna, Arcidosso and Seggiano in the Province of Grosseto, in the Tuscany region.
Description of product typologies
Montecucco PDO Bianco is straw-yellow, varying in depth; the nose displays fragrances of white flowers and white fleshy fruit; the wine has good acidity, with excellent balance between the flavours. Montecucco PDO Rosso is intense ruby red; the nose offers fruity and floral fragrances with notes of berries and spices; it is well- structured on the palate with significant tannins. It can display Riserva on the label if the wine has been aged for a mandatory period of 18 months, of which at least 12 months must be in wooden recipients and 6 months in the bottle. The ageing period commences November 1st of the year in which the grapes were produced. Montecucco PDO Rosato ranges from soft to cherry-pink; the nose bursts with fresh, fruity and floral fragrances, with delicate notes of rose and strawberry; the sensations of the nose return on the palate, enriched with a sapid, fresh flavour that is well-structured and balanced. Montecucco PDO Rosato must be obtained with rosé vinification of red grapes. Montecucco PDO Vin Santo ranges from golden yellow to intense amber; it is rich, complex, ethereal and intense on the nose, with evident notes of ripe fruit, raisins and candied fruit; it is velvety and rounded on the palate, with remarkable length and persistence. Montecucco PDO Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice varies from amber to intense topaz, with an ample reddish rim that becomes brown with ageing; the nose offers evident fragrances of ripe fruit and marmalade; it is fresh and substantial on the palate, with a long sweet and harmonious finish. Montecucco PDO Rosso wines cannot be released for consumption before September 1st of the year following that in which the grapes were produced; Montecucco PDO Rosso Riserva cannot be released before November 1st of the second year following that in which the grapes were produced. Montecucco PDO Bianco and Montecucco PDO Rosato wines can be released for consumption from February 1st of the year following that in which the grapes were produced. Montecucco PDO Vin Santo and Montecucco PDO Vin Santo Occhio wines must be produced with traditional vinification methods which involve the carefully selected grapes being dried naturally in suitable environments. The wines must be aged for a minimum of 18 months in wooden kegs with a capacity of no more than 500 litres; the ageing period commences a minimum of 18 months, commencing January 1st of the year following that of the grape harvest. They cannot be released for consumption before November 1st of the third year following that in which the grapes were produced.
Grape variety specifications
Montecucco PDO may display the following grape variety specifications. From white grape varieties: min. 85% Vermentino, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%. The characteristics of the colour, fragrances and flavour of each specification are those typical of the grape variety and terroir of origin. Montecucco PDO Vermentino is straw-yellow; the nose is fresh, delicate and characteristic; it is dry, smooth and sapid on the palate. Montecucco PDO Vermentino wine cannot be released for consumption before February 1st of the year following that in which the grapes were produced.
Additional specifications
The Montecucco PDO designation can be followed by the specification Vigna (Vineyard) with the relative toponym.
