Denominazione di Origine Controllata
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo D.O.C. spans the hillside and foothill belt of the Apennines across the Abruzzo region of central Italy, between the Adriatic Sea and the Gran Sasso and Majella massifs. It covers the four Abruzzo provinces of Chieti, L'Aquila, Pescara and Teramo, with vineyards planted between 150 and 600 metres above sea level, away from damp valley floors. The soils are clay-limestone, combining marl, limestone and sand depending on the area. The climate, tempered by the nearby sea and sheltered by the surrounding mountains, is marked by wide day-to-night temperature swings that favour slow grape ripening. Montepulciano accounts for at least 85% of plantings, with the remainder made up of other non-aromatic black-skinned varieties suited to the region. The appellation is distinct from Trebbiano d'Abruzzo, reserved for white wines, from Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo, reserved for rosés, and from Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane, classified as DOCG on the hills of Teramo alone.
Grape varieties: Vins rouges : montepulciano, sangiovese
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Montepulciano d'Abruzzo D.O.C. produces red wines only, released as a standard version and as a longer-aged Riserva. The colour is an intense ruby red, sometimes with violet hints, evolving towards garnet with age. The nose, marked in youth by red and black fruit such as cherry and blackberry, develops over time into notes of jam, spice, tobacco and liquorice. On the palate the wines are dry, with firm tannins, a velvety texture and overall balance. The standard wines are readily enjoyed in their first years, while the Riserva, aged for longer, gain complexity and can be cellared for an extended period. These wines pair with grilled or roasted red meats, lamb, game, hearty pasta dishes with rich sauces, and matured cheeses.
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