What is made here
Wine colours
Colours the rules allow. Pick a colour to filter the rules and grapes below.
Where it is
Montecarlo in Italy
- Latitude
- 43.7°–43.9° N
- Vineyard altitude
- 20 m to 226 m
- Production zone
- 21,832 ha
Boundary drawn from whole communes, so it is a little larger than the legal zone. Boundary: Eurac Research PDO inventory (CC0). Country outlines: Natural Earth. Dots on the zone map are the vineyard points used for climate.
Showing every colour The colour filter changes the rules and grapes. Climate, vintages and soils describe the vineyards, so they stay the same.
01 · What the law says
The rules
Limits on grapes, yields, ripeness and ageing that every wine labelled Montecarlo must meet.
Blend rules
Montecarlo Bianco
- 30–60% Trebbiano Toscano · Main grape
- 40–70% Semillon / Pinot grigio / Pinot bianco / Vermentino / Sauvignon / Roussanne (at least three) · Allowed
- ≤ 20% other white grapes authorised in Tuscany (excluding Moscato bianco, Traminer aromatico) · Others allowed
Blend rules
Montecarlo Rosso
- 50–75% Sangiovese · Main grape
- 15–40% Canaiolo nero / Merlot / Syrah · Allowed
- 10–30% Ciliegiolo / Colorino / Malvasia nera di Lecce / Malvasia nera di Brindisi / Cabernet sauvignon / Cabernet franc · Allowed
- ≤ 20% other white and/or red grapes authorised in Tuscany (excluding Aleatico, Moscato bianco, Traminer aromatico) · Others allowed
Blend rules
Montecarlo Rosso Riserva
- 50–75% Sangiovese · Main grape
- 15–40% Canaiolo nero / Merlot / Syrah · Allowed
- 10–30% Ciliegiolo / Colorino / Malvasia nera di Lecce / Malvasia nera di Brindisi / Cabernet sauvignon / Cabernet franc · Allowed
- ≤ 20% other white and/or red grapes authorised in Tuscany (excluding Aleatico, Moscato bianco, Traminer aromatico) · Others allowed
At least 24 months' ageing.
Blend rules
Montecarlo Vin Santo
- 30–60% Trebbiano Toscano · Main grape
- 40–70% Semillon / Pinot grigio / Pinot bianco / Vermentino / Sauvignon / Roussanne (at least three) · Allowed
- ≤ 20% other white grapes authorised in Tuscany (excluding Moscato bianco, Traminer aromatico) · Others allowed
; release from 1 November of the third year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Montecarlo Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice
- 50–75% Sangiovese · Main grape
- 15–40% Canaiolo nero / Merlot / Syrah · Allowed
- 10–30% Ciliegiolo / Colorino / Malvasia nera di Lecce / Malvasia nera di Brindisi / Cabernet sauvignon / Cabernet franc · Allowed
- ≤ 20% other white and/or red grapes authorised in Tuscany (excluding Aleatico, Moscato bianco, Traminer aromatico) · Others allowed
; release from 1 November of the third year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Montecarlo Vermentino
- ≥ 85% Vermentino · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other grapes of the same colour suitable for Tuscany · Others allowed
Blend rules
Montecarlo Sauvignon
- ≥ 85% Sauvignon Blanc · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other grapes of the same colour suitable for Tuscany · Others allowed
Blend rules
Montecarlo Cabernet Sauvignon
- ≥ 85% Cabernet Sauvignon · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other grapes of the same colour suitable for Tuscany · Others allowed
Blend rules
Montecarlo Syrah
- ≥ 85% Syrah · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other grapes of the same colour suitable for Tuscany · Others allowed
Blend rules
Montecarlo Merlot
- ≥ 85% Merlot · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other grapes of the same colour suitable for Tuscany · Others allowed
Other varieties allowed
Besides the main grapes, the rules allow these varieties in some wines. Grape names link where a profile exists.
28 varieties · Montecarlo Bianco, Montecarlo Vin Santo, Montecarlo Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice
Albana, Albarola, Ansonica, Biancone, Canaiolo Bianco, Clairette, Durella, Fiano, Grechetto, Greco, Incrocio Bruni 54, Livornese Bianca, Malvasia Bianca Lunga, Malvasia Bianca di Candia, Malvasia Istriana, Manzoni Bianco, Marsanne, Muller Thurgau, Nocchianello Bianco, Orpicchio, Petit Manseng, Riesling, Verdea, Verdello, Verdicchio Bianco, Vernaccia di S. Giminiano, Viognier, Welschriesling
79 varieties · Montecarlo Rosso
Albana, Albarola, Alicante, Alicante Bouschet, Ancellotta, Ansonica, Barbera, Barsaglina, Biancone, Bonamico, Bracciola Nera, Calabrese, Caloria, Canaiolo Bianco, Canina Nera, Carignan, Carmenere, Cesanese D Affile, Clairette, Colombana Nera, Durella, Fiano, Foglia Tonda, Gamay, Gralima, Grand Noir, Gratena, Grechetto, Greco, Groppello Gentile, Groppello di S. Stefano, Incrocio Bruni 54, Lambrusco Maestri, Livornese Bianca, Malbec, Malvasia, Malvasia Bianca Lunga, Malvasia Bianca di Candia, Malvasia Istriana, Mammolo, Manzoni Bianco, Marsanne, Mazzese, Merlese, Mondeuse, Montepulciano, Moscato D Amburgo, Mourvèdre, Muller Thurgau, Nocchianello Bianco, Nocchianello Nero, Orpicchio, Petit Manseng, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pollera Nera, Prugnolo Gentile, Pugnitello, Rebo, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Riesling, Roussanne, Roussin, Sagrantino, Sanforte, Sauvignon Blanc, Schiava Gentile, Semillon, Tempranillo, Teroldego, Trebbiano Toscano, Verdea, Verdello, Verdicchio Bianco, Vermentino, Vermentino Nero, Vernaccia di S. Giminiano, Viognier, Welschriesling
45 varieties · Montecarlo Rosso Riserva
Alicante, Alicante Bouschet, Ancellotta, Barbera, Barsaglina, Bonamico, Bracciola Nera, Calabrese, Caloria, Canina Nera, Carignan, Carmenere, Cesanese D Affile, Colombana Nera, Foglia Tonda, Gamay, Gralima, Grand Noir, Gratena, Groppello Gentile, Groppello di S. Stefano, Lambrusco Maestri, Malbec, Malvasia, Mammolo, Mazzese, Merlese, Mondeuse, Montepulciano, Moscato D Amburgo, Mourvèdre, Nocchianello Nero, Pinot Noir, Pollera Nera, Prugnolo Gentile, Pugnitello, Rebo, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Roussin, Sagrantino, Sanforte, Schiava Gentile, Tempranillo, Teroldego, Vermentino Nero
33 varieties · Montecarlo Vermentino
Albana, Albarola, Ansonica, Biancone, Canaiolo Bianco, Clairette, Durella, Fiano, Grechetto, Greco, Incrocio Bruni 54, Livornese Bianca, Malvasia Bianca Lunga, Malvasia Bianca di Candia, Malvasia Istriana, Manzoni Bianco, Marsanne, Muller Thurgau, Nocchianello Bianco, Orpicchio, Petit Manseng, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Trebbiano Toscano, Verdea, Verdello, Verdicchio Bianco, Vernaccia di S. Giminiano, Viognier, Welschriesling
33 varieties · Montecarlo Sauvignon
Albana, Albarola, Ansonica, Biancone, Canaiolo Bianco, Clairette, Durella, Fiano, Grechetto, Greco, Incrocio Bruni 54, Livornese Bianca, Malvasia Bianca Lunga, Malvasia Bianca di Candia, Malvasia Istriana, Manzoni Bianco, Marsanne, Muller Thurgau, Nocchianello Bianco, Orpicchio, Petit Manseng, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Roussanne, Semillon, Trebbiano Toscano, Verdea, Verdello, Verdicchio Bianco, Vermentino, Vernaccia di S. Giminiano, Viognier, Welschriesling
54 varieties · Montecarlo Cabernet Sauvignon
Alicante, Alicante Bouschet, Ancellotta, Barbera, Barsaglina, Bonamico, Bracciola Nera, Cabernet Franc, Calabrese, Caloria, Canaiolo Nero, Canina Nera, Carignan, Carmenere, Cesanese D Affile, Ciliegiolo, Colombana Nera, Colorino, Foglia Tonda, Gamay, Gralima, Grand Noir, Gratena, Groppello Gentile, Groppello di S. Stefano, Lambrusco Maestri, Malbec, Malvasia, Malvasia Nera di Brindisi, Malvasia Nera di Lecce, Mammolo, Mazzese, Merlese, Merlot, Mondeuse, Montepulciano, Moscato D Amburgo, Mourvèdre, Nocchianello Nero, Pinot Noir, Pollera Nera, Prugnolo Gentile, Pugnitello, Rebo, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Roussin, Sagrantino, Sanforte, Sangiovese, Schiava Gentile, Syrah, Tempranillo, Teroldego, Vermentino Nero
54 varieties · Montecarlo Syrah
Alicante, Alicante Bouschet, Ancellotta, Barbera, Barsaglina, Bonamico, Bracciola Nera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Calabrese, Caloria, Canaiolo Nero, Canina Nera, Carignan, Carmenere, Cesanese D Affile, Ciliegiolo, Colombana Nera, Colorino, Foglia Tonda, Gamay, Gralima, Grand Noir, Gratena, Groppello Gentile, Groppello di S. Stefano, Lambrusco Maestri, Malbec, Malvasia, Malvasia Nera di Brindisi, Malvasia Nera di Lecce, Mammolo, Mazzese, Merlese, Merlot, Mondeuse, Montepulciano, Moscato D Amburgo, Mourvèdre, Nocchianello Nero, Pinot Noir, Pollera Nera, Prugnolo Gentile, Pugnitello, Rebo, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Roussin, Sagrantino, Sanforte, Sangiovese, Schiava Gentile, Tempranillo, Teroldego, Vermentino Nero
54 varieties · Montecarlo Merlot
Alicante, Alicante Bouschet, Ancellotta, Barbera, Barsaglina, Bonamico, Bracciola Nera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Calabrese, Caloria, Canaiolo Nero, Canina Nera, Carignan, Carmenere, Cesanese D Affile, Ciliegiolo, Colombana Nera, Colorino, Foglia Tonda, Gamay, Gralima, Grand Noir, Gratena, Groppello Gentile, Groppello di S. Stefano, Lambrusco Maestri, Malbec, Malvasia, Malvasia Nera di Brindisi, Malvasia Nera di Lecce, Mammolo, Mazzese, Merlese, Mondeuse, Montepulciano, Moscato D Amburgo, Mourvèdre, Nocchianello Nero, Pinot Noir, Pollera Nera, Prugnolo Gentile, Pugnitello, Rebo, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Roussin, Sagrantino, Sanforte, Sangiovese, Schiava Gentile, Syrah, Tempranillo, Teroldego, Vermentino Nero
In the vineyard and cellar: rules for every wine
3,500
Vines per hectare, minimum
No forcing
Forcing the vines is prohibited
Permitted
Irrigation
Cellar
Where the wine must be made
Within the production zone
02 · Climate fingerprint
The climate
The growing season averages 18.8 °C, warm on Gregory Jones's scale, with 1,880 growing degree days (Winkler III).
The average year 1991–2020, vineyards at about 62 m
Monthly mean, °CRain, mmGrowing season
- Growing-season temperature
- 18.8 °C
- Warm · 17–19 °C (Jones)
- Growing degree days
- 1,880
- Region III: 1,667–1,943 degree days
- Growing-season rain
- 619 mm
- Of 1,182 mm a year
- Harvest rain
- 265 mm
- September–October
Copernicus ERA5-Land monthly averages at 5 vineyard points (Vineyard point 1, 47 m; Vineyard point 2, 51 m; Vineyard point 3, 34 m; Vineyard point 4, 29 m; Vineyard point 5, 151 m), moved to each point's height from the model's terrain. Indices that need daily data are not captured yet. How the climate figures are made.
Lower confidence:Monthly reanalysis in moderately complex terrain; not yet checked against a weather station.
Closest climates in the database
Picked by the data, not by hand: the profiles nearest on season warmth (counted twice), degree days, rain, ripening-month nights and day–night range. Neighbours within 30 km are left out, as they share the same weather.
1. Cesanese di Olevano RomanoVery similarCompared with Montecarlo: same season warmth, similar rain.
2. GenazzanoVery similarCompared with Montecarlo: same season warmth, similar rain.
3. Colli Euganei Fior d'ArancioVery similarCompared with Montecarlo: same season warmth, similar rain.
Growing-season temperature
Growing degree days
Growing-season rain
03 · Year by year
35 vintages
Each column is one growing season: heat above or below the 1991–2020 average, and rain at harvest. Pick a year for the details.
Warmer than averageCooler than averageHarvest rain (Sep–Oct)Average harvest rain, 265 mm
2025
- Growing-season temp.
- Growing degree days
- Harvest rain
- Growing-season rain
- September nights
- Hot days and frosts
Seasons are labelled by harvest year (April–October). Year-to-year changes from ERA5-Land; tested against station records in Alto Adige (r = 0.94 for season temperature at Bolzano). Rain varies more locally, so treat single-season rain with some caution. Vintage ratings, harvest dates and frost or hail events have places in the data model but are not loaded yet.
04 · Where the numbers come from
Sources
- A geospatial inventory of regulatory information for wine protected designations of origin in Europe · Candiago et al., Scientific Data 9, 394 (2022); Eurac Research · CC0
- Quality wines in Italy and France: a dataset of PDO specifications · figshare 25393261 · CC BY 4.0
- ERA5-Land monthly averaged data (reanalysis-era5-land-monthly-means) · Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), Climate Data Store · CC BY 4.0 (Copernicus licence)
- OpenStreetMap vineyard areas (landuse=vineyard), from Geofabrik country extracts · OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL 1.0
- Copernicus DEM GLO-90 (AWS open data tiles) · European Space Agency / Copernicus · Copernicus DEM licence
- Disciplinare di produzione: Montecarlo · Ministero dell'agricoltura, della sovranità alimentare e delle foreste (MASAF) · Official act
- Climate profiles calculated by Vinous: method
Still to check (3)
- Generated from EU reference data: check against the current product specification.
- From the specification: Vin Santo may be secco (min. 14% actual alcohol, max 2% to ferment) or amabile (min. 13% actual, at least 3% to ferment; total acidity min. 5.0 g/l), so sweetness is left null; the lower actual-alcohol figure is recorded. Vin Santo grapes are dried naturally to at least 26.6% sugar, pressed between 1 December and 31 March, and aged in caratelli of at most 5 hl.
- National tier (DOC/DOCG) not captured yet; rules extracted from the specification text.