Montepulciano d’abruzzo is one of the most popular Italian red wines of today, which can be found on the shelves of many countries. This is a classic, rounded wine with aromas of plum, made from varieties of Montepulciano vines in Abruzzo on the Adriatic coast of Italy.
This wine is markedly different from the similar named Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which is made from Sangiovese in Tuscany. Today, the grape Montepulciano has almost lost all contact with the Tuscan town of Montepulciano, from which it got its name and where it was formerly widespread.
The appellation (DOC) Montepulciano d’abruzzo appeared in 1968 and occupies a large area of the Eastern part of Abruzzo. It stretches 120 km along the coast from the border with Molise in the South to Marche to the North, and the width is nearly 32 km. Most of the Western Abruzzo is too mountainous for effective viticulture, so most of the wines of Montepulciano d’abruzzo occur with low hills, plains and coastal areas.
The best examples of this wine come from the hills of the province of Teramo, awarded in 2003 own category Montepulciano d’abruzzo Colline Teramane DOCG
This area with its microclimate and good soils located between the high peaks of the national Park Gran Sasso and the Adriatic coast. Local winemakers have been diligently working on the realization of the potential of its terroir, keeping yields within the boundaries that allows you to collect get the Montepulciano grapes.
In Collin Teramane variety Montepulciano DOCG must be at least 90% of the bottle contents. Up to 10% may take a Sangiovese. The minimum aging period of 2 years, of which not less 12 months in oak and at least six months in bottle before entering the market. For bottles from Teramo labeled Riserva mandatory aging for at least 3 years.
The wine Montepulciano d’abruzzo Colline Teramane DOCG distinguishes a male character and earthy bouquet in shades: serious, but with a surprisingly delicate structure. Burgundy wines like Vosne-Romanee, it can be described with the words “an iron hand in a velvet glove”. This expressive red with an intense, but clean fruit in aroma, full of hints of cherry and ripe plum, with hints of spice and smoke that appear after aging in oak. Particularly interesting is revealed in combination with gastronomy.
5 wine-producing sub-areas of Montepulciano d’abruzzo wine with special characteristics. Their names can be indicated on the labels (or back labels) next to the communal appellation:
Montepulciano – one of the most popular Italian red wine varieties. In Abruzzo, he settled and thriving already in the 18th century. Plump the berries, giving a good yield and an easy-drinking wine, has gained popularity among both manufacturers and consumers.
The color of the wine from Montepulciano usually saturated, from ruby to Magenta, depending on the year and techniques of winemaking.
The acidity is low, the taste is soft, with unobtrusive tannins.
Riserva on a bottle of wine Montepulciano d’abruzzo DOC means aged for at least three years, of which at least six months in oak. These wines generally a good potential for aging with the right approach in the winery.