 U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has stopped the import of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano as well as some Saint Emilion wines , by withdrawing the approval of the labels which are under the jurisdiction of this federal agency.
"It's similar to the issues involving Brunello," said TTB spokesman Art Resnick on Wednesday, clarifying' It's not a safety issue but a labelling issue. We're concerned about consumer deception.'
The matter of Brunello was resolved when the Italian government intervened and the Agriculture Minister Luca Zaia agreed that all exported wines would carry a certificate of authenticity. As of now, nothing fraudulent has been discovered in the Brunello 2003 wines which had created the controversy.
Zaia confirmed on Thursday that the government stood by the quality of Montepulciano and he was getting in touch with the U.S authorities to resolve the problem. But he warned, 'those who have made mistakes will pay. They cannot undermine the work of honest producers who respect the rules'.
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| Prugnolo Gentile grapes of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano |
The problem was anticipated just as in the case of Brunello. In the eye of the storm are a few producers who are being investigated by the officials of Siena, the same province to which the neighbouring Montalcino belongs. They are allegedly using grapes from southern Italy in their wines. The rumours had been going around at Vinitaly earlier in April this year about the fraudulent use of grapes.
Confirming the misuse, Federico Carletti, acting chairman of the Consorzio del Vino Nobilo di Montepulciano said two producers of the premium red wine were suspected of adding a small quantity of unauthorized grapes in the Nobile wines. 'Two of our producers have been penalised... but they have already resolved their problems,' Carletti is reported to have told Reuters
Montepulciano
Montepulciano is small, beautiful town from the Renaissance era, tucked in a corner of south-east Tuscany a few kilometres from the border with Umbria. It is equidistant from Florence and Rome, at the center of the Siena-Perugia-Arezzo triangle.
Regulations for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The regulations for Vino Nobile are much less stringent than its neighbouring elitist cousin from Montalcino, Brunello. Sangiovese grape used in majority in the Chianti Classico region, known as Brunello in Montalcino, is named as Prugnolo Gentile in Montepulciano.
A minimum of 70% minimum of this varietal must be present in the blend, balance being up to a maximum of 20% Canaiolo Nero and a maximum of up to 20% of other varieties authorized by the Appellation. They must be aged for at least two years, starting from January 1st following the harvest; two years less than Brunello di Montalcino.
Like in Montalcino, the younger sibling known as Rosso di Montepulciano is also produced here, causing even a lesser dent on the pocket than its counterpart in Montalcino.
Vintages
After a run of very good vintages in 2003,'04 and '05, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has had an excellent vintage in 2006. As with other Tuscan wines, 2002 was a rained down vintage, an avoidable one, if one is looking for a value-for-money premium wines from Tuscany with an eye on the wallet and long term storage for added complexities.
St. Emilion involved too
Some of the wines of 2006 and '07 vintage from Saint Emilion have also been blocked by TABB for similar labelling issues. A Bordeaux court had earlier this year struck down the classification of the 2006 Grand Cru Classe and the Premier Cru Classe for Saint Emilion wines after a few wineries had complained against the rating procedure used which they said were prejudicial.
The French Senate had intervened and restored the classification temporarily, but several chateaux still complained. Producers are now confused about how to label their wines released this year.
The US authorities are in touch with the French authorities and seeking a clarification on the issue arising due to media reports.
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