“Words of Wine”
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
It’s five years since we first travelled to this stunning region in Central Italy. It can be found between the Adriatic coast and the epic Gran Sasso mountains, about 90 minutes drive from Rome.
Abruzzo has been full of surprises.
First there’s the landscape. There are three mountainous national parks; Abruzzo National Park, Gran Sasso National Park and Majella National Park, as well as many nature reserves, making up about one third of the region. It’s the wild heart of Europe, with projects supporting the re-wilding of many animals. Secondly there are the local people, who are gentile, so kind. We witness La Bella Figura in action every day. Next there is the food of the region; the meats, cheese, fruits, truffle, all available locally. And the other surprise has been the wine.
Much of Abruzzo is not suited to viticulture, being so mountainous. But Montepulciano grapes grow well in the Apennine foothills. Like us, the grapes enjoy a warm climate and basking in the sun. The Montepulciano grapes produce a deep ruby red wine, with red-berries and spicy notes on the nose.
Montepulciano is widely grown in Italy, and it flourishes here in Abruzzo. There are three types, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC *(85% minimum), Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane DOCG **(90% minimum) and Controguerra Rosso DOC (at least 60%).
We first discovered some Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Reserve locally, at a Cantina Aperta event (open cellars). It’s an intense wine, aged for at least three years, with at least six months of aging taking place in oak barrels.
We really enjoy this robust, red wine. It pairs perfectly with meat such as Arrosticini, (lamb on skewers), roasted root vegetables or a rich, tomato based serving of Pallotte Cace e Ove, made with lots of local Pecorino cheese.
I’ve even used Montepulciano d’Abruzzo in cake. Recently I baked a rich, chocolate cake for my husband’s birthday. It was made the day before the celebration. Overnight the flavours intensified, the Montepulciano marrying with the rich cocoa. The result was fantastic!
We’ve become ambassadors for this fabulous wine, carrying it for friends in Umbria, as well as further afield; Indonesia, Switzerland and South Africa. Each and every time the reaction to this wine of Abruzzo is the same. Wow!
And Montepulciano is much like the region of Abruzzo itself, rich, bold and undiscovered. It lacks pretension and largely does not get the recognition it deserves.
This wild heart of Europe has captured our hearts. After many international moves, now we call Abruzzo home.
Margherita M
*DOC Denomination of Controlled Origin
The wines must be made according to certain standards and within a specified region.
These standards typically include requirements such as which grape varietals may be used, the amount of aging, and a specified minimum alcohol content.
**DOCG Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin
Superior to a DOC, in fact the highest in Italy.
For DOCG certification, the wine has to go through strict quality control by a government-licensed panel of judges.