Montepulciano, Italy
Montepulciano is the grape variety from which Montepulciano wine is produced. Montepulciano grapes have a late ripening and are characterized by berries with very thick skin. Well known and used in Italy, it is widespread in various regions of central and southern areas such as Emilia-Romagna, Marche, Lazio, Umbria, Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, Basilicata and Apulia. Not to be confused with the Nobile di Montepulciano, a wine produced from Sangiovese grapes, Montepulciano comes with all certainty from the Abruzzo region and, in particular, from the Pescara area. With almost 35.00 hectares of vineyards, Montepulciano remains the most cultivated black grape variety in Italy after Sangiovese and lends itself very well to the composition of various types of blends. Montepulciano is characterized by intense aromas of red and black fruits such as plum and blackberry, always accompanied by a fine spiciness that becomes more decisive with aging and that refers to cinnamon and dried herbs such as thyme and marjoram. Of chromatic impact with its intense and full reds, Montepulciano is a wine of great structure, it is enveloping and full, with tannins measured with a little ageing, long persistence and suitable for aging. For many, Montepulciano can present a vinous taste and a distinct tannic charge, characteristics that an adequate ageing gives a softer and more gentle wine, with a tasty and recognizable aromatic spectrum. In Abruzzo the most prestigious appellations concern the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane but there are valid examples for other appellations such as Conero, Castelli Romani, Colli di Rimini. Montepulciano also appears in the Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC which hosts a very fresh and appreciated rosé especially in combination with regional Abruzzo dishes.
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo probably takes its name from the region of origin of the Montepulciano grape. Its diffusion can find in some written testimonies of the mid-18th century the proof that this grape was known and cultivated in the Abruzzo area. The combination of hilly slopes in the Pescara area and the presence of Apennine mountains most likely made Montepulciano d'Abruzzo resistant to phylloxera during the late 19th century. From the Peligna Valley to the areas that slope down towards the Adriatic, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo expresses its maximum power to connote the important appellations located in the provinces of Chieti, L'Aquila, Pescara and Teramo. The Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC appellation requires the presence of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo in an amount not less than 85% and, even in the Riserva versions, it allows 15% of non-aromatic Abruzzo varieties. This DOC includes 5 sub-areas that can be mentioned on the label including Casauria, Alto Tirino and Terre dei Peligni. Another appellation that makes use of 90% of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and 10% of Sangiovese is the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane DOCG: the wines that fall under this appellation must age at least one year in cask with two months in the bottle, while the Riserva version remains at least three years in wood and two months in the bottle.
What are the characteristics of Montepulciano wine?
Montepulciano has various characteristics in reference to drinkability. When young it has fruity aromas with cherry, plum and blackberry that make the taste direct, with evident tannins and medium structure. With aging, the wine acquires body and structure, offering smoother and more silky tannins, a full body and a long persistence on the palate.
Is Montepulciano a red wine?
Montepulciano is a traditionally red wine that stands out for its power and aromatic impetus, both in the young versions and in those aged in wood. Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo is a rosé wine produced with Montepulciano d'Abruzzo grapes for which a short maceration of the must is required in contact with the skins.
Is Montepulciano a still wine?
Montepulciano is usually vinified as a still wine. However, there are producers willing to compete with sparkling wine and pushed to create sparkling wines based on Montepulciano grapes.
10 Vendemmie Limited Edition Tenuta Ulisse
10 Vendemmie by Tenuta Ulisse is a red wine made from Montepulciano grapes grown in Abruzzo, a region renowned for its terroir suited for viticulture. The result of a careful selection of grapes from different vintages, this wine represents a synthesis of the best expressions of the grape variety and the territory.
The vinification process involves fermentation in stainless steel with a maceration on the skins to extract color and structure. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels, where it d...
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Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC Il Tralcetto 2022 Zaccagnini
Tralcetto by Zaccagnini is one of the most representative Montepulciano wines in Abruzzo, capable of showing its qualities in a transparent and sincere way.
After a gentle pressing of the grapes, the must ferments at a controlled temperature. Ageing lasts for at least 4 months in Slavonian oak barrels and further in the bottle.
The colour is intense ruby red with violet reflections. The intense aroma refers to the primary aromas typical of the grape, such as violets and berries. A full-bodied wine...
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Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOP 2022 Villa da Filicaja
The Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Collection of the Count of Filicaja comes from the vineyards of the hilly area of the municipality of Pescara.
Obtained from Montepulciano grapes only, it is the result of a manual harvest carried out between the end of September and the first days of October. The must ferments in steel tanks at a controlled temperature. The wine always ages in steel to enhance its fruity component and its dimension of freshness.
It has a clear cherry pink color. It expresses fragrant aroma...
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Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC Chronicon 2021 Zaccagnini
Zaccagnini's Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Chronicon rises in the vineyards that extend all around the Bolognano winery, oriented towards the wonderful landscape of the Majella National Park.
A soft pressing of the Montepulciano grapes alone is a prelude to fermentation with maceration under controlled temperature conditions. The aging takes place in steel and, depending on the vintage, for a short period in wooden vats.
The color in the glass is intense ruby red. The olfactory bouquet contains the typi...
View product pageMarche IGT Kurni 2021 Oasi degli Angeli
The Marche Rosso Kurni of Oasi degli Angeli comes from vineyards located in the valley of the Sant'Egidio torrent, in the municipality of Cupra Marittima.
It is produced exclusively with Montepulciano grapes, harvested and selected only by hand. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature. Subsequently the wine ages in barriques for about 18-20 months before being bottled.
Kurni is characterized by an intense dark red color. The nose opens with an intense bouquet, w...
View product pageMolise Riserva DOC Don Luigi 2019 Di Majo Norante
The Molise Rosso Riserva Don Luigi of the Di Majo Norante company was born in vineyards located in Martarosa, in the heart of Molise.
It is mainly produced with Montepulciano and Aglianico grapes, harvested between the end of October and the end of November. The vinification takes place in a traditional way, with maceration in contact with the skins for about 30 days. Subsequently the wine ages in new oak barriques for 12 months and for another 6 months in bottle before being released on the mark...
View product pageCerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC Il Tralcetto 2023 Zaccagnini
Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo from the Il Tralcetto di Zaccagnini line that responds to the winery's desire to tell the Abruzzo territory in a genuine and honest way.
It is produced with Montepulciano grapes with small additions of other black berried grapes. Only the free-run must is fermented at a low temperature, followed by a short passage in steel and bottle aging.
It appears pink in color. The nose is very harmonious and fragrant, with very pleasant hints of berries and grapefruit. On the palate it is...
View product pageMontepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC Riserva 2020 Tor Del Colle
The Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva di Tor del Colle is a tribute to the beauty of the ruins that dominate the territory from above.
The Montepulciano grapes are harvested and de-stemmed, then vinified with a maceration of 7–8 days. Fermentations take place in thermo-regulated steel vats. Ageing lasts 24 months, of which 9 in wooden barrels.
Intense ruby red colour with purple hues, the wine expresses itself on the nose with aromas of cherry, blueberry and licorice. The sip is well structured, med...
View product pageMontepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC 2022 Tiberio
The Montepulciano d'Abruzzo of the Tiberio winery is produced with pure grapes in the hills that extend from the Abruzzese Apennines to the Adriatic Sea which influences them with continuous breezes.
The vines grow on a mainly clayey soil, which is located at about 300 meters above sea level. The grapes are harvested and selected by hand in mid-October to proceed with fermentation in steel for 15 days. This is followed by malolactic fermentation and refinement in steel before bottling.
In the glas...
View product pageConero DOCG Riserva Grosso Agontano 2020 Garofoli
Garofoli's Grosso Agontano comes from the best grapes selected in the DOC area of Rosso Conero.
It is produced with 100% Montepulciano grapes, harvested only by hand. After destemming and crushing of the grapes, the grapes are vinified with maceration on the skins for 12-15 days. Aging takes place in barriques for 12-18 months and for over 24 months in the bottle.
In the glass this Riserva has an intense ruby red color with garnet hues. The nose opens with notes of ripe fruit, cherry and spices. O...
View product pageMontepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC 2022 Torre dei Beati
The Montepulciano d'Abruzzo of Torre dei Beati comes from vineyards cultivated in organic farming, with great care for the soil and the ecosystem and without the use of substances harmful to the environment.
Produced with pure Montepulciano grapes, this wine undergoes 12 months of ageing in oak barrels before being bottled.
It is characterized by an intense ruby red colour. The nose presents fruity hints of morello cherry and blackberries which harmonize well with pleasant balsamic notes. The tast...
View product pageMontepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC Amaranta 2021 Tenuta Ulisse
The Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Amaranta by Tenuta Ulisse was born in vineyards located in the Teatro municipality of Lanciano, in Abruzzo.
It is produced exclusively with Montepulciano grapes, harvested and selected by hand between the end of October and the first ten days of November, following a brief over-ripening on the vine. After crushing-destemming, fermentation takes place, with maceration, in steel tanks at a temperature of 24-26°C for 15-20 days. Subsequently the wine ages for 9-12 months ...
View product pageMontepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva DOC Marina Cvetic Iskra 2020 Masciarelli
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Marina Cvetic Iskra di Masciarelli is born in vineyards located in the Teramo municipality of Controguerra, on the Aprutinian hills.
It is produced entirely with Montepulciano grapes, harvested by hand in the first half of October. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature. Subsequently the wine matures in oak barrels for 12 months and refines for another 24 months in the bottle before being put on the market.
It has a dark ruby red color...
View product pageMontepulciano d'Abruzzo DOP Premium 2022 Tenuta Ulisse
The Montepulciano d'Abruzzo from the Tenuta Ulisse Premium line is a unique Montepulciano, thanks to the starting grape variety and the particular winemaking process.
Once the grapes reach the cellar they are subjected to freezing with a sudden reduction in temperature, followed by cryomaceration on the skin in order to extract the varietal aromas. Destemming is carried out in an inert environment, followed by slow fermentation in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature. The wine always...
View product pageConero Riserva DOCG Campo San Giorgio 2019 Umani Ronchi
The Conero Riserva Campo San Giorgio di Umani Ronchi was born in vineyards located in the Ancona municipality of Osimo, in the Marche region.
It is produced entirely with Montepulciano grapes, harvested and selected exclusively by hand after the first ten days of October. Fermentation takes place in steel fermenters at a controlled temperature of 28-30 ° C, with autochthonous yeasts for 14-16 days. After the malolactic fermentation, the wine ages for 12 months in small wooden barrels and for anot...
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