Collection: Montepulciano

Montepulciano is one of Italy's most important blue grape varieties and the country's fourth most planted red variety at the dawn of the 21st century. It originates from Val Peligna in Abruzzo in central Italy, and this is precisely where the grape has its heart. Montepulciano accounts for over half of Abruzzo's total vineyard area and is grown especially in the provinces of Teramo, Pescara, Chieti and L'Aquila. With us you will indeed find Montepulciano from Abruzzo, where the grape is allowed to show its most characterful side.

Our selection of Montepulciano comes exclusively from Italy, and although Abruzzo is the grape's core land, we also carry bottles from Toscana and Umbria. The grape is in fact widespread across a number of neighbouring regions such as Marche, Molise, Lazio, Toscana, Puglia and Umbria, where it often features in blends in wines like Rosso Conero and Rosso Piceno.

Montepulciano produces deeply coloured red wines, rich in anthocyanins. The style can vary depending on the winemaking, from soft and full-bodied to firmer and more tannic versions. The grape has a moderate to good ageing potential, which makes it a rewarding choice if you want to lay a bottle aside. It ripens medium to late and requires a long growing season to reach full maturity, and it thrives in coastal environments and on clay soil.

The best-known style is the dry red wines under the designations Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC and DOCG, where the grape is the leading variety. It is also used for rosato under Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo and is even found as sparkling and sweet wine. It is worth noting that Montepulciano is ampelographically distinct from Sangiovese, even though the two are often confused. If you want to explore Italian red wine with body and southern warmth, Montepulciano is an obvious place to begin.