Santa Margherita

The producers had already given us due warning at the beginning of the harvest: there really was a shortfall of grapes in the Montepulciano area of between 5 and 10% compared to 2007. However, their forecast of the product’s quality level has also been confirmed. People are talking about a very good vintage indeed, even though Vino Nobile’s producers were scared during the last few days before picking by sudden rain showers, mixed with hail. In short, the 2008 Vino Nobile could very well offer us another vintage to remember, after the 5 stars – the highest possible rating given to new vintages during the “Anteprima” in February – awarded to 2006 and 2007 (still to be released for sale).  In 2007 the market for the wines of Montepulciano expanded significantly, especially abroad. There is strong demand for the Rosso D.O.C., of which over 3 million bottles were sold in 2007 (up by 63.2% - or 1, 100,000 bottles – compared to 2006). The figures for Vino Nobile are also impressive: in 2007 – for the first time - over 8 million bottles went on the market, up 36.4% compared to 2006 (equivalent to about 860 thousand bottles). Exports represent 60% of total production, while – on the Italian market - Tuscany and Lombardy are the Regions in which sales are concentrated.
As far as foreign markets are concerned, the U.S. is once again growing fast. In fact, in 2007, it absorbed around 12% of the wine exported.