Description
The Orcia PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: White, Red, Rosé and Vinsanto or Vin Santo; Sangiovese (grape variety specification), Sangiovese Riserva (grape variety specification). The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Orcia PDO is within the entire territory of the municipalities of Castiglione d’Orcia, Pienza, Radicofani, Montalcino, San Quirico d’Orcia, Buonconvento and Trequanda, and parts of the municipalities of Abbadia S. Salvatore, Chianciano, Sarteano, San Casciano Bagni and Torrita di Siena, in the Province of Siena, in the Tuscany region.
Description of product typologies
Orcia PDO Bianco is straw-yellow, at times with greenish reflections; the nose is floral and fruity; it is fresh and dry on the palate, with an aftertaste of white fleshy fruit. Orcia PDO is ruby red, tending towards garnet red with ageing; the nose offers fruity fragrances followed by spicy sensations; it is dry, sapid and harmonious on the palate. It can display Riserva on the label if the wine has been aged for a mandatory period of at least 24 months, of which a minimum of 12 months must be in wooden barrels. Orcia PDO Rosato varies from soft pink to cherry-pink; the nose is fine and rich with fruity notes; it is dry, harmonious and extremely fresh on the palate. Orcia PDO Vinsanto or Vin Santo is various shades of yellow, ranging from straw-yellow to golden yellow or intense amber; it is intense and ethereal on the nose, with characteristic aromas of dried fruit, fresh fruit and at times honey; it is smooth, harmonious and velvety on the palate. Vinsanto wines must be produced with traditional vinification methods, which involve the carefully selected grapes being dried naturally in suitable environments, with the possibility of partial dehydration with the aid of ventilated air. The vinification and ageing processes must take place in wooden kegs with a maximum capacity of 300 litres, for a minimum period of 18 months, commencing January 1st of the year following that in which the grapes were harvested. The wine cannot be released for consumption before November 1st of the third year following that in which the grapes were produced. Orcia PDO Bianco, Orcia PDO Rosso and Orcia PDO Rosato wines can be released for consumption from March 1st of the year following that in which the grapes were produced; for Orcia PDO Rosso Riserva the release date is December 1st of the second year following that in which the grapes were harvested.
Grape variety specifications
The Orcia PDO may display the following grape variety specifications. From red grape varieties (incl. Riserva): min. 90% Sangiovese, with the possible addition of Canaiolo Nero and/or Colorino and/or Ciliegiolo and/or Foglia Tonda and/or Pugnitello and/or Malvasia Nera, max. 10%. Orcia PDO Sangiovese (incl. Riserva) is ruby red, tending to garnet red with ageing; the nose is vinous, at times with fruity notes of cherry and violet; it is dry, full-bodied and harmonious on the palate. Orcia PDO Sangiovese wines qualify as Riserva if they have been aged for a minimum period of 30 months, of which at least 24 months in wooden barrels; they cannot be released for consumption before June 1st of the third year following that in which the grapes were produced.
Additional specifications
The Orcia PDO designation can be followed by the specification Vigna (Vineyard) with the relative toponym.
