Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC
About the wine
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is the cornerstone of the Abruzzo wine region, representing a historic and widely recognized DOC that showcases the versatility of the Montepulciano grape. Cultivated across the coastal hills and inland valleys of the region, the wine is defined by its deep ruby color, which evolves into garnet with age, and a profile characterized by red fruit, spice, and a harmonious, velvety structure. The disciplinare mandates a minimum of 85% Montepulciano, allowing for a small percentage of other non-aromatic black grapes. The production area is vast, spanning the provinces of Chieti, L'Aquila, Pescara, and Teramo, benefiting from the unique climatic interplay between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine mountains. The wine is known for its accessibility and food-friendliness, often displaying notes of cherry, blackberry, and subtle licorice. While the base DOC is released relatively young, the region also features several sub-zones that allow for more specialized, terroir-driven expressions, including Riserva and Superiore designations.
Grape varieties
Production & aging
The production zone covers the entire administrative territory of numerous communes across the provinces of Chieti, L'Aquila, Pescara, and Teramo. It encompasses the coastal hills and the pedemontane belt of the Abruzzo region, extending into inland valleys and intermontane basins like the Peligna, Subequana, and Roveto valleys, characterized by sandy-clay soils and a temperate climate influenced by both the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine mountain range.