Wine Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (Montepulciano d'Abruzzo) occupies 80% of the total wine produced in the region of Abruzzo. It is among the top three grape drinks that have been given the name controlled by origin (DOC). This is a red wine of medium density, which is made from grapes of the same variety. But there is no connection between the name of the berries and the town of Montepulciano in the Toscana region, famous for its wine. Nobile di Montepulciano (Nobile di Montepulciano) is a completely different drink, which is made from the raw materials of the Sangiovese variety.
Historical information
Historical documents indicate that Montepulciano grapes were grown in Abruzzo from time immemorial, but it acquired its modern name only in the 17th century. Its origin is probably common with other black grape varieties and originates in Greece.
It is assumed that the name grapes received by mistake. Merchants from Tuscany decided that it was Sangiovese grapes brought to Abruzzo and gave it a name in honor of the Tuscan town.
The recent history of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wine dates back to the end of the 19th century, when the vine "descends" from the mountains to the Adriatic Sea and begins to be grown in a hilly and more flat area.
In the 50s of the last century, the first distilleries appeared that believe in the success of a Montepulciano grape drink. Wine is bottled for sale in industrial bottles. One of the discoverers of the fame of a modern product, without a doubt, can be called Edoardo Valentini (Edoardo Valentini). It was from under his hands that the label with the inscription "Montepulciano d'Abruzzo" first saw the light of day. The manufacturer, choosing the name, would have foreseen the future assignment of the DOC category.
This was followed by the stages of expanding the geography of viticulture and an increase in mass production. And on July 15, 1968, Montelpuciano d'Abruzzo wine was awarded the DOC category (name controlled by origin). Thus was born one of the first DOC drinks in the Abruzzo region. Since then, manufacturers have practically not changed the technology of wine production. Only some winemakers are trying to improve the quality of their drink.
In 1995, the wine "Colline Teramane Montepulciano d'Abruzzo" was created, which in 2003 was marked with the DOCG quality mark - the first drink with this category both in the Montepulciano wine family and in the Abruzzo region.
Characteristics of raw materials
Montepulciano - grapes with high productivity. It matures quite late (on average between the 1st and 2nd decades of October). This is a very resistant plant, and therefore can grow in relatively harsh conditions.
Vineyards are located on hills or plateaus, whose height does not exceed 500 m above sea level (in exceptional cases, 600 m for more southern areas). About 13.7 hectares of the territory allotted for the cultivation of Montepulchan are included in the register of vineyardsabout. It is cultivated in all four provinces of Abruzzo. The raw materials for the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wine are mainly collected in the northern part of the region: Pescara and Teramo. The maximum yield should not exceed 40 centners per 1 ha.
The grapes are medium in size and produce a large amount of juice, the color of which varies from dark purple to ruby. It has a lower acidity compared to other Italian varieties and moderate tannin.
Varieties of category DOC, DOCG
Montepulciano grapes in Italy produce a wide range of drinks. But among the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wines, only 3 have quality marks.
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC is a wine of rich red-ruby color, which turns into pomegranate with age. The smell is floral-fruity with hints of spice. The taste is dry, soft, medium tannin. Obtained almost exclusively from grapes of the same variety, no more than 15% of which can be replaced with Sangiovese grown in Abruzzo. The wine is often consumed young (6-8 months from the date of grape harvest). Montepulciano d'Abruzzo marked Riserva is aged for at least 30 months, of which at least 9 must be drunk in oak barrels. The alcohol content is 12%.
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Cerasuolo DOC
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Cerasuolo DOC - rose wine, the raw materials for which are grown in the provinces of Chieti, L'Aquila, Pescara and Teramo. The color is cherry red, the smell is pleasant intense fruity. The taste is dry, soft, harmonious with a delicate almond aftertaste. The share of Montepulciano grapes varies from 85 to 100%, Sangiovese - not more than 15%. The alcohol content is 11.5%.
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane DOCG
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane DOCG - wine, the production of which is allowed only in the province of Teramo. The share of Montepulciano grapes is 90-100%. The color is intense, ruby red with a light purple hue, with age it turns into garnet. Essential aroma with notes of red fruits, spices and a touch of chocolate. The taste is dry, full, strong, but harmonious and velvety.
The minimum total acidity is 4.5 g / l. By the time it enters the market, the age of the wine is 1 year for the regular version and 3 years for Riserva. At the same time, the drink matures in oak or chestnut barrels for at least a year. The alcohol content is 12.5%.
Among the best Italian brands producing Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wine, one can mention Buccicatino, Chiusa Grande, De Angelis Corvi, Fattoria La Valentina, Francesco Cirelli, Lepore.
Gastronomy - what to drink with
Medium red wines such as Montepulciano d'Abruzzo tend to harmonize well with a wide variety of products. But, it is worth noting that herbal notes and pronounced tannin require more salty dishes.
Of meat products, an excellent pair for wine will be: fried pork, beef patties with mushrooms, grilled beef brisket, meatloaf or meat pizza. But especially the drink "loves" strong flavors such as lamb or kid. Montepulciano Riserva is a wonderful companion of ossobuco in Milan, young wine is more often served with fatty fish.
Montepulciano goes well with pasta and Parmesan cheese, baked potatoes, black beans, mushrooms and ripe cheeses.
Seasonings that shade the taste of the dish in combination with wine are: oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, coriander, black pepper, caraway seeds, balsamic vinegar.
From desserts to accompany the wine, it is better to choose dishes with coffee or chocolate flavor.
Difference from Nobile di Montepulciano
Two Montepulciano (Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Nobile di Montepulciano) mislead many people who think that this is the same drink. In fact, these are two opposite types of wine.
Nobile wine is produced in the Tuscany region in an area of the same name. It has the DOCG category and is 70% Sangiovese grapes. At the same time, 30% can be replaced by other varieties grown in Tuscan territory (except Malvasia Bianca Lunga).
The color of Nobile is light ruby in contrast to the deep dark Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. The taste of the latter is more enriched with spicy notes, tannin and freshness are more pronounced. The Tuscan drink contains aromas of vanilla and shades of citrus.
The gastronomy of the drinks is a bit similar, but for Nobile, less aromatic meat (beef, pork) and medium-aged cheeses are suitable. From the foregoing, only one conclusion can be drawn: Montepulciano is one name for two grand wines.
Price in Italy and in Russia
Buying a bottle of good wine in Italy is not at all a problem. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is represented on the alcohol market by various manufacturers. Its price varies from 5 to 590 Euro, depending on the company and age.
It is worth noting that the wine with a very long aging has the maximum price, the production date of which goes back to 1973. On average, you can purchase Montepulciano of the DOC category in the republic by spending no more than 10 Euros.
Montepulciano wine is present in a wide variety on Russian counters. The price varies from 500 to 50 thousand rubles for 0.75 liters. In this case, the most expensive version refers to the 1977 release.
No doubt Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is one of the brightest pearls in a huge family of Italian wines. Enjoy a great drink in Italy and not die - should be a task at least for the next holiday. Live easy, joke funny, travel with a sober head and remember: "There is no more beautiful vacation in the world than a vacation spent somewhere in Chieti!"
