Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC was established in 1968 and covers most of Abruzzo in central Italy, where the montepulciano grape sets the red agenda. This is one of Italy's most widely planted appellations, with around half a million hectolitres a year. As much as two thirds of production comes from the province of Chieti, but there is still good reason to get to know the geography a little more closely, because it tells you a lot about what you have in your glass.
Montepulciano is an obliging grape with deep colour, naturally soft tannins and low acidity. This yields full-bodied, fruity wines that are often approachable and charming already in their youth. In its most classic expression, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is inky purple-black and almost syrupy in texture, with aromas of dark berries and earthy, slightly mineral notes. Despite the low acidity, the best examples retain both freshness and body, even after a number of years in the bottle.
If you want to find depth and longevity, it is worth looking towards northern Abruzzo. In the Teramo hills, cooler microclimates and higher elevations give wines with more structure and staying power, where montepulciano truly shows what it can do when allowed to unfold over time.
The grape also has a lighter side. Vinified as rosé, it is marketed as Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Cerasuolo, characterised by a deep cherry-red colour and flavours of strawberry, dried cherry and exotic spices. It is a style that can both stand alone for a glass and accompany the table.
With Abruzzo and montepulciano you get origin and character in the same glass: a wine that is easy to love, but which holds more than it immediately reveals. Whether you are looking for the round, fruit-driven everyday red or a more serious bottle with age in mind, it is a classic worth getting to know.