A Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is one of the top Tuscan reds...

Ludola Nuova Vineyards

I think that this wine’s name, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, is exciting in itself, but perhaps it’s just a case of marketing hype. The Lodola Nuova estate property has records going back to the mid Thirteenth Century. It has been producing wine since 1452 if not longer. Its major vineyard is 87 hectares (about 215 acres) near the medieval village of Valiano. The property was purchased by the major Tuscany Ruffino winery about twenty years ago. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a well-known Tuscan red produced from the Prugnolo Gentile version of the Sangiovese grape. It is one of the Tuscany Big Three, Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile, and Brunello de Montalcino. Some say that it’s a neglected middle child.

Before reviewing this middle child, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region. Start with Acciughe sotto Pesto (Anchovies with Pesto). As the second course try Stracotto nel Brunello (Braised Beef cooked with Beans in Brunello wine). For dessert indulge yourself with Cavallucci (Biscuits with caramelized sugar, nuts, candied oranges, and anise). I don’t think that I have to tell you about all the tourist attractions in this part of Tuscany. Why not compare the towns of Montepulciano and Montalcino as you are comparing their wines?

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Ruffino Lodola Nuova Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2006 13.5% alcohol about $22

Let’s start by quoting the marketing materials. Tasting Note : You can't beat the value of this wine: you simply won't find a better wine for the money. Juicy, round and ripe with aromas of black plums, black raspberry and vanilla smoke. Food matches: spicy black bean dishes, steak-and-cheese enchiladas. Score - 89. (Natalie MacLean, at her web site, June 6, 2009)And now for my review.

If you are looking for fine Italian wine and food, consider A Vino Nobile di Montepulciano of northern Italy. You may find a bargain, and I hope that you’ll have fun on this fact-filled wine education tour.

At the first sips this wine’s acidity was well balanced between its acidity and tannins. It was woody, but on the downside was somewhat grapey. The first meal was a cheeseless lasagna made with a moderately spicy salsa. I tasted dark chocolate. This wine was powerful. The more I drank the more I liked it. It was very round. A liberal dousing of Louisiana cayenne pepper sauce brought out the red berries.

The next meal was a slow cooked London Broil steak with potato patties and green beans, all cooked together. This Vino Nobile was very long and had lots of stuff in it. The wine was almost chewy and tasted of chocolate and leather. Once again I noted the great balance between the tannins and the acidity. This time adding Louisiana cayenne pepper sauce seemed to have no effect. With a palm heart, green pimento, olive, canned corn, and chickpeas salad the wine had chocolate and a good length.

My final meal consisted of meatballs and rice with a side of cooked zucchini and chickpeas in a ground tomato sauce. Even with the plebian meatballs the wine was subtle and multilayered. Once again I noticed the balance and chocolate. With the veggies the predominant characteristic was its great length.

With a Swiss cheese this Prugnolo Gentile was long and balanced. When paired with whipped cream cheese, it was somewhat muted, but still had good length. I added some smoked salmon and things remained the same.

Final verdict. There is no question about it. I would buy this wine again and again. I think that it competes well with other wines costing quite a bit more. This middle child has succeeded in my book.

Access the companion wine A Wine Lover's Weekly Review Of $10 Wine - A Mexican Petite Sirah

About the Author

Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet, but to be honest, he would rather just drink fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. His wine websites include
www.theworldwidewine.com    and    http://www.theitalianwineconnection.com

Visit his site devoted to touring Italy www.travelitalytravel.com

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