The Denomination of Controlled Origin Sant’Antimo was born from the producer’s wish to qualify the Montalcino wine production. This denomination, in effect, enables one to situate the wines other that are neither Brunello, Rosso nor Moscadello di Montalcino.

Sant’Antimo is an extremely ample denomination that covers many wines both red and white. Take for instance Sant’Antimo Rosso that can also have the variety indication of Cabernet, Merlot and Pinot Nero, or Sant’Antimo Bianco that can avail itself of the varieties Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio.

The red type can also be produced as Novello. One can even produce Sant’Antimo Vin Santo with white grapes and Sant’Antimo Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice with red grapes, each of which can also be made as Riserva.

The importance of this wine is noteworthy since it fits in perfectly in the productive pyramid of Montalcino. Indeed Sant’Antimo Rosso can be produced as a passage from Brunello or from Rosso di Montalcino allowing producers the
freedom to make qualitative choices at harvest time or in the winery.

Sant’Antimo was recognized as a wine with a DENOMINTATION OF CONTROLLED ORIGIN by decree 18/1/1996.
Sant’Antimo has extremely varying characteristics depending on the different typologies. We find wines that are not particularly exacting and can be used for various occasions together with very high quality wines, coming from the very same variety, which can provide masterly combinations of different grapes.

Production rules of Sant’Antimo

Sant’Antimo received its recognition of DENOMINATION OF CONTROLLED ORIGIN with the Decree 18/1/1996. The rules established by the disciplinary regulations in vigour according to this decree are as follows:

- Production area: Montalcino Township
- Variety: All varieties authorized in Tuscany, with specific limitations for the typologies bearing the name of a variety and for Vin Santo
- Maximum yield of grapes: 90 quintals per hectare for the whites and for Sant’Antimo Rosso; 80 quintals per hectare for the other reds.
- Ratio of grape yield to wine: 70% and 31.5% for Vin Santo
- Colour, odour, taste, alcoholic content, minimum total acidity, and net minimum dry extract: variable depending on the typologies
- Bottling: must take place within the province of Siena.