ACortona DOC – La Braccesca
La Braccesca · €30 to €60
reliability medium
34,92 € 39,05 €
BNobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG – Folonari
Folonari · €15 to €30
reliability high
22,07 € 24,91 €
The verdict
Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG – Folonari takes the lead
Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG – Folonari scores 7,6/10, ahead of Cortona DOC – La Braccesca (7,2). A Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2018 from Folonari, 100 % Prugnolo Gentile, aged 20 months in Slavonian botti then 6 months in bottle. At €22.07, it shows no awards, no organic mention, and no pairing with fresh cheeses.
Choose Cortona DOC – La Braccesca if…
- 100% Syrah from Cortona DOC by La Braccesca, vintage 2024, aged 7 months including 70% in barrique, in magnum at €17.46 for 75 cl
Its weak point in this head-to-head: typicité & terroir (7,2). Cortona DOC named with Tenuta La Braccesca in Cortona (AR) and a 100% Syrah, a grape of Mediterranean origin; real Tuscan grounding but a non-Tuscan grape.
Choose Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG – Folonari if…
- you want the safest value in the duel: best overall score (7,6), level with or ahead on typicité & terroir, reconnaissance et rapport qualité/prix
- you prioritise typicité & terroir (8,6 vs 7,2) : Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, 100 % Prugnolo Gentile, Comune di Montepulciano zone between Valdichiana and Val d'Orcia: appellation and grape variety named precisely.
- you prioritise producteur & vinification (8,2 vs 7,8) : Folonari named and located in Montepulciano; fermentation in stainless steel at 26-28 °C, maceration ≥15 days, 20 months in Slavonian botti, 6 months in bottle.
- you care about sangiovese et prugnolo: amenities that only this listing mentions
Reliability medium / high : ratings based on the file of each listing, not on a stay by our team · Ratings of the 20 October 2026 · Our rating method
Tosco's word
Folonari's Nobile Riserva (rating 7.6, €22 a bottle) is the one to pick if you want a true Tuscan terroir wine at a low price, with its Prugnolo Gentile and a well-anchored typicity (8.6). La Braccesca's Syrah (rating 7.2, €35 for 75 cl or €17.46 for a magnum) suits you better if you prefer a fuller, vanilla-toned red to share at a large table.
Tosco only cites facts from this head-to-head: ratings, criteria, prices, amenities. Text calculated once, checked by the code.
Criterion by criterion
The 5 criteria of the score
Why these ratings?
Cortona DOC – La BraccescaCortona DOC named with Tenuta La Braccesca in Cortona (AR) and a 100% Syrah, a grape of Mediterranean origin; real Tuscan grounding but a non-Tuscan grape.
Nobile di Montepulciano Riser…Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, 100 % Prugnolo Gentile, Comune di Montepulciano zone between Valdichiana and Val d'Orcia: appellation and grape variety named precisely.
Why these ratings?
Cortona DOC – La BraccescaNo award or guide mentioned; producer La Braccesca (Antinori family) named in the text: absence of information, not a flaw.
Nobile di Montepulciano Riser…No award or guide is mentioned; the producer Folonari is named, but without any distinction attested in the sources.
Why these ratings?
Cortona DOC – La Braccesca1.5 L magnum at €34.92 (crossed-out price €39.05), i.e. €17.46 per 75 cl: fair for a Cortona DOC Syrah with no distinction, well-suited format.
Nobile di Montepulciano Riser…At €22.07 (original price €24.91), this Nobile Riserva 2018 remains within the usual price for its rank, without any distinction that would pull the rating upward.
Why these ratings?
Cortona DOC – La BraccescaPrecise pairings (parmigiana, roast beef, semi-aged cheeses), detailed aromatic profile (violet, blackberry, plum, pepper, vanilla, licorice) and a stated service temperature, though 18-20 °C here versus 16-18 °C in…
Nobile di Montepulciano Riser…Precise pairings (maiale ripieno di coniglio, fegatini, verza con torta di cipolle), detailed aromatic profile, serving at cellar temperature recommended.
Why these ratings?
Cortona DOC – La BraccescaEstate named and located, precise winemaking: destemming and crushing, cold maceration, fermentation of about 10 days, aging of about 7 months, 70% in barrique and 30% in stainless steel.
Nobile di Montepulciano Riser…Folonari named and located in Montepulciano; fermentation in stainless steel at 26-28 °C, maceration ≥15 days, 20 months in Slavonian botti, 6 months in bottle.
Features
Price, estate, grape variety, vintage
What is written on the listing. “Not specified” is not “no”.
| Criterion | Cortona DOC – La Braccesca | Nobile di Montepulciano Riser… |
|---|---|---|
| Recorded price | 34,92 € | 22,07 € |
| Price per 75 cl | 17,46 € | 22,07 € |
| Estate | La Braccesca | Folonari |
| Traveller rating | not specified | not specified |
| Reliability of our score | medium | high |
| Color | Red | Red |
| Area | Cortona, Valdichiana & Arezzo | Cortona, Valdichiana & Arezzo |
| Price | €30 to €60 | €15 to €30 |
| Grape variety | Syrah | not specified |
| Vintage | 2024 | 2018 |
| Estate | La Braccesca | Folonari |
| Bottle or gift box | Wines | Wines |
| Sangiovese | not specified | Yes |
| Prugnolo | not specified | Yes |
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Other duels
The other head-to-heads: Cortona, Valdichiana & Arezzo
vs
Wines · Cortona, Valdichiana & Arezzo
Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG – Folonari or DOC Cortona Sangiovese – Baracchi?
The top two in the ranking: Cortona, Valdichiana & Arezzo
vs
Wines · Cortona, Valdichiana & Arezzo
DOC Cortona Sangiovese – Baracchi or DOC Cortona Syrah – Baracchi?
No. 2 versus No. 4 in the ranking: Cortona, Valdichiana & Arezzo
vsWines · Cortona, Valdichiana & Arezzo
Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG – Folonari or DOC Cortona Syrah – Baracchi?
No. 1 versus No. 4 in the ranking: Cortona, Valdichiana & Arezzo
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