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Prugnolo Gentile is a noble and historic local name for a Sangiovese grape clone used in the Tuscan areas around the town of Montepulciano. It is from this clone that the globally renowned, age-worthy "Vino Nobile di Montepulciano" red wine is crafted. These drinks delight with complex aromas of ripe cherries, plums, violets, and earth, and feature a firm tannic structure.
Read moreThe best expression of this grape is found in the local Montepulciano appellations. When choosing, consider the wine's classification and aging duration.
A younger wine intended for earlier consumption is labeled as "Rosso di Montepulciano". It retains the fruitiness, lightness, and crisp acidity of Prugnolo Gentile. For those seeking true classics, it is essential to choose "Vino Nobile di Montepulciano" (DOCG), which is mandatorily aged in oak barrels for at least two years before release (and three years for "Riserva"). This aging provides the wine with deep complexity and notes of leather and tobacco.
A classic Tuscan wine pairs ideally with traditional regional cuisine. It is an indispensable companion to a thick-cut Tuscan beef steak (Bistecca alla Fiorentina), wild boar ragù, Pappardelle pasta with meat sauce, and long-aged Pecorino cheese.
Although genetically it is the same Sangiovese grape, Prugnolo Gentile is a local clone adapted to the specific microclimate of Montepulciano, where the soil is rich in sand and clay. This clone typically gives the wines slightly more body, darker plum aromas, and softer tannins than the Sangiovese vines growing in the neighboring Chianti region.
This is one of the most common confusions in the wine world. "Vino Nobile di Montepulciano" is a wine from the Tuscany region made from Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese) grapes around the town of Montepulciano. Meanwhile, "Montepulciano d'Abruzzo" is a wine from Central Italy (Abruzzo region) made from a completely different, unrelated grape variety called "Montepulciano".
