Uncommon Wines You Need To Try: Part 2/3 – MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO

MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO

The second in my series of 3 wines that I’ve fallen in love with recently for their consistent quality, affordability, and great food affinity, is Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. While not exactly uncommon, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is often over-looked because of Italy’s other superstar wines from Tuscany, Piedmont, and the Veneto. Yet it is unique, distinctly Italian, and deserves to be enjoyed at the dinner table.

Aflame: Montepulciano vines in autumn in Abruzzo

The grape, Montepulciano, is grown in small quantities elsewhere around Italy, but its spiritual home is Abruzzo. At first sip, the wines are understated, soft. Not overly tannic, not overly acidic, not overly fruity.

But they tend to have a deepness of character tinged with a classic Italian rusticity that blossoms after it breaths for 30 minutes to an hour and is used to wash down just about any Italian food involving pasta, bread, tomatoes, game, beef, charcuterie, cheese, olive oil, garlic… you get the idea. Because of its softer tannins, it’s a red wine that goes well with a wide range of vegetables, beans, and legumes.

This is family wine, seemingly designed to be drunk from clay pitchers around a big, noisy table. And it’s usually priced to be drunk heartily too. Great examples of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo exist in the $10-$15 range from Caldora, La Quercia, Vallevo, Zaccagnini and many others.

To say that Montepulciano d’Abruzzo may not offer you a “profound” wine drinking experience is not to dis it. It’s a wine that grows on you, like your quiet friend who you didn’t notice at first and then one day you realize how comfortable you are around them because they let you be yourself. And that is, in its own way, profound.

Read part 1/3: Cahors.