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 ontecarlo is situated at the base of an ancient fortress occupying the summit of the ridge separating the Valley of the Nievole from the Plain of Lucca. The community was a redoubt of the Ghibellines in their perpetual struggle with Florence and the other Guelf communities. Although the town was founded for warlike purposes, it is an oasis of tranquillity, with vast expanses of vineyards and olive orchards extending outward from the town as far as the eye can see. Those vineyards are the source of Montecarlo wine.The wine originated in the Roman period and its fine quality was cited in documents drawn up in the centuries preceding the year 1000. The vinicultural industry was already flourishing before the period of the communes and the wines of Montecarlo were the most expensive of the region. At Florence, the principal consumer of the town's output, Montecarlo cost more than the Trebbianos, the whites of the Chianti area and the wines of the Greve Valley. In the 15th century, the wine was highly appreciated by Pope Paul III Farnese, according to a document written by his cellarmaster. The wine had already pleased the palate of a preceding pontiff, Gregory XII, who visited the area in 1408. A member of the pope's train, Cardinal Giovanni Dominici di San Sisto of Ragusa, enjoyed the reputation of being a fine connoisseur and devoted consumer of wine. During the visit, the cardinal so much appreciated the wine that was served to him in large quantity that he forgot his episcopal ring, leaving it behind on the banquet table. The wine of Montecarlo remains true to its history since it is generally considered one of the enological treasures of Tuscany.
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Consorzio Vini Doc Montecarlo
Palazzo Agricoltura, Borgo Giannotti
55100 Lucca (LU)
ITALY
phone: (+39) 0583/33174
fax: (+39) 0583/331178
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Tuscany
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