Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC: The Full-Bodied Red Wine of Abruzzo
The Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC is a full-bodied red wine whose high quality is recognised throughout Italy. This wine, the second best-selling in the country, represents 80% of the DOC wines from the Abruzzo region. Produced from Montepulciano grapes, its complex structure is characterised by remarkable organoleptic and olfactory intensity. It is made in the Abruzzo region, in central Italy.
The Grape Variety
The Montepulciano vine, a red grape, features medium-sized pentagonal and five-lobed leaves. Its cluster is compact and has two wings. When ripe, the grapes display a thick, black-blue skin. The ideal climate for its cultivation is warm and dry in mountainous areas, but it should not exceed 600 metres above sea level.
History
The Montepulciano vine is an indigenous variety whose origins trace back to the territory of the Peligna Valley. Historian Michele Torcia mentioned it in a document from 1792, and other 19th-century texts, such as Panfilo Serafini’s, refer to it as one of the most common vines in the region. Although there is a claim that it was imported from Tuscany in the 19th century, this is considered false. A curious legend tells that General Hannibal treated his horses’ mange by washing them with Montepulciano wine.
Denominations of Montepulciano Wine
In 1968, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine was granted DOC status, covering five subzones of production in both coastal and inland hillside areas in Pescara. The Consortium for the Protection of Abruzzo Wines ensures the quality and compliance with DOC designation regulations. A wine that ages for at least 24 months, including 9 months in wood, is called Riserva and has an alcohol content of 12.50°.
Among the sub-denominations, the most important is Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane DOCG, produced in the province of Teramo. Its minimum ageing is 12 months, including 2 months in the bottle, and it can achieve Riserva status if it ages for at least 36 months.
Colour and Aroma
When served, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo displays a very intense and opaque red colour. Aged wines reveal garnet hues, and when the glass is swirled, the colour holds, creating arch-like streaks that linger.
Olfactorily, it is a complex wine with fruity notes of plum, black cherry, and red berries. In its youth, floral notes such as violets and cyclamen can be distinguished. When aged in barrels, it develops spicy and leathery nuances.
Wine Tasting
In tasting, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo reveals itself as a dry, tannic, and structured wine, characteristics that become more pronounced with age. Persistent on the palate, it stands out for its fruity and spicy nuances while remaining harmonious. With a minimum alcohol content of 11.50°, it is considered a “warm” wine. Like all full-bodied reds, it should be served between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius.
We hope you enjoyed our article about Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. Remember, you don’t need to travel to Italy to enjoy authentic Italian cuisine. At Rossini restaurant, you can savour a variety of traditional gastronomy specialities and the quality of our wines.