2014 DEI Rosso di Montepulciano

2014 DEI Rosso di Montepulciano

Where: Montepulciano, Tuscany

Who: Catherina Dei and her family

What: 90% Sangiovese 5% Canaiolo 5% Merlot

Tastes like: Juicy, very balanced, medium to light body red

What to pair with: Red sauce and meatballs, margherita pizza, pork chops, cured meats

A word about “Montepulciano”:

This wine is from the town of Montepulciano in Tuscany. It is “red OF Montepulciano.” There is also a relatively common grape with the same name, most famously from Abruzzo, the region to the East of Tuscany. That wine is “Montepulciano OF Abruzzo”.

Back in 1964, Alibrando Dei, a wine-growing enthusiast, recognised in the area of Bossona,splendid for its exposure and pedological characteristics, lands predestined to produce great red wines,and promptly purchased them and planted the first vineyards.

Later, during the course of the 70s, the family acquired the Martiena property with the attached manor - restored in the 1930s by the architect Piacentini -surrounded by a vast age-old garden and situated at the foot of the village of Montepulciano.

In the first years, the grapes that were produced were sold. However, considering the quality of the grapes picked, the family soon decided to embark upon the path of their own wine-making tradition and in 1985 -an exceptional vintage year -they decided to produce the first bottle of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Dei, renting an old winery in the historic town centre.

In 1989,the family built its own winery, beside Villa Martiena, in the heart of the vineyards.

At the beginning of the 90s, Catherina Dei decided to move back to Montepulciano to devote herself with loving care to the vineyards and her land. She took in hand the winery founded by her grandfather yet continued, every so often, to dedicate herself to music and singing by recording her first CD thanks to the cooperation of professional musicians.

Forever in love with the nature and architecture of her 16th century village, she immediately understood that her wines were made to heighten and convey the peculiarities of a land that is unique for its charm and history.

Her main goal, shared by wine-making expert Paolo Caciorgna, technical director of the winery, has always been that of producing excellent and elegant wines that represent the terroir, by making the most of native vine species and the undisputable quality of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.