Antinori is the most famous name in Italian wine and the influence of Piero Antinori in the last 25 years has been nothing short of revolutionary. Antinori's flagship wine, Tignanello, first appeared in 1971 and caused a sensation by its use of Cabernet Sauvignon in a Sangiovese blend and with its practice of ageing in small French barriques. Antinori was accused of vinous treachery and treason but soon barrique-aged blends of Sangiovese and Cabernet began appearing all across Tuscany.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG is located in the hilltop town of Montepulciano in southeastern Tuscany, Italy. The appellation was granted DOCG status in 1980, making it one of Italy's earliest designated wine regions of the highest classification. The vineyards surround the medieval town at elevations between 250 and 600 meters above sea level.

The region's continental climate features warm, dry summers and cold winters, moderated by altitude and the influence of nearby Lake Trasimeno. Soils are predominantly clay and limestone with sand and gravel deposits. Sangiovese, locally known as Prugnolo Gentile, must comprise at least 70% of the blend, with Canaiolo Nero and other approved red varieties permitted. Traditional winemaking methods prevail, with extended maceration periods and aging requirements of two years minimum, including one year in wood for standard wines and three years total for Riserva bottlings.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines display the characteristic structure of Sangiovese with notable depth and complexity derived from the specific terroir. The wines typically show bright acidity, firm tannins, and flavors of red cherry, plum, and earth, often developing leather, tobacco, and spice notes with age. The altitude and soil composition contribute to wines with good aging potential and distinctive mineral undertones that differentiate them from other Tuscan Sangiovese expressions.