Castellana Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (2010)

Although Vino Nobile di Montepulciano may be my favorite Italian wine (at least for the moment), Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a close second.  Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wines are much cheaper than some of the more well known and prestigious Italian wines, such as Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino or Chianti Classico.  Yet, the Montepulciano d' Abruzzo wines can be just as enjoyable as those wines.  Another thing I like about these wines is that they can be a little more rough and rustic, much like the Abbruzese and their countryside. 

The Montepulciano d'Abruzzo has its own DOC, which covers most of the Abruzzo region, from the foothills of the Apennine Mountains to the shores of the Adriatic Sea.  This large area covers parts or all of Abruzzo's four provinces: Chieti, L'Aquila, Pescara, and Teramo.  There is also separate DOCG for the wine that is produced with grapes originating exclusively from Teramo, where the wines are called Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane.  The rules for making Montepulciano d'Abruzzo require that at least 85% of the grapes be Montepulciano grapes.  The remainder of the grapes must be Sangiovese grapes.  The wines must be aged a minimum of five months, and, wines aged for two years in wooded barrels can be classified as Vecchio.

The Castellana Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is made with 100% Montepulciano grapes.  The wine pours a cranberry red color, with a well defined water line along the edges of the glass.  I am told that the line along the edge is a sign of good aging, but I do not know if that is actually true.  

The label describes the Castellana Montepulciano d'Abruzzo as a medium bodied, vivid red wine with cherry fruit and subtle spicy flavors.  The aromatic elements of this wine do suggest vivid, ripe cherries.  This is an interesting contrast to the San Lorenzo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, which had elements that suggested dark cherries and darker fruit, like plums.  And, with regard to the taste of the wine, where the San Lorenzo could be compared to a Syrah, the Castellana was more like a Merlot. 

The label suggests that this wine could be paired with grilled or roasted meats, rice, pasta dishes and pizza.  Personally, I like to pair Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wines with traditional Abruzzese dishes, like Maccheroni alla Chitarra and brodettos.  

This wine is available at wine stores.  I do not recall how much the wine cost, but these wines generally sell between $9.99 and $14.99 per bottle.  

ENJOY!

For more about the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC and DOCG, check out Wikipedia. 

San Lorenzo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (2008)

One night when Clare and I were at one of our favorite restaurants, Cesco Trattoria, we decided to order a glass of wine with our dinner instead of a bottle.  We both ordered a glass of San Lorenzo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and we both loved the wine.  Since that night, I've been able to find this wine in various stores, like a nearby wine and beer store and Whole Foods.  Whenever I make a meal inspired by Abruzzo, the region in Italy from where my mother's relatives emigrated when they came to the United States, I usually serve this wine.

The Montepulciano grape is grown in many parts of Italy; however, the grape known as Montepulciano d'Abruzzo from Emilia-Romagna to Apulia.  The Denominazione di Origine Controllata for Montepulciano d'Abruzzo -- one of more than forty DOCs established for the Montepulciano grape -- was created in 1968.  The Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC covers most of Abruzzo and parts of Molise and Le Marche.  The rules of this particular DOC permit winemakers to make a Montepulciano d'Abruzzo with at least 85% of the Montepulciano grapes, blending up to 15% of Sangiovese grapes with the wine.  In addition, a Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva must be aged for two years, with six months of the aging in wood.

Located outside of Madonna degli Angeli, San Lorenzo Wines produces its Montepulciano d'Abruzzo entirely from the Montepulciano grapes.  This Montepulciano d'Abruzzo has characteristics of very earthy wines, such as a Syrah.  Although generally a young wine when consumed, it pours a nice deep ruby red. The nose and aromatic elements of this wine bespeak of many deep fruits, like blackberries, plums, and dark cherries.  Those fruit elements are very forward in the taste of the wine, hence my comparison of the wine to a Syrah.  There are definitely cherries and blackberries, but I also get a little earthiness and spice in the wine. 

The winemaker recommends this wine be paired with red meat and game, as well as strong cheeses.  Given the strong fruit character of this wine, I think the winemaker's recommendations are good selections.  However, I think this wine could also be paired with pastas, such as Maccheroni alla Chitarra or other pastas with red sauces.  This wine would also bring out the flavors of the meatballs or sausage served with the pasta.  

This wine is one of my favorites and, what makes it even better is that it can be found for $9.99 or $10.99 a bottle.

ENJOY!

For more about Montepulciano d'Abruzzo grapes, check out Intowine.