RedLead grape in 13
Montepulciano
Also called Violone.
Abruzzo's red, and the reason cheap Italian red is usually drinkable. Deep, almost opaque colour, soft tannin, low acid, and dark plummy fruit with a bitter edge on the finish that keeps it from being flabby. It crops generously, which is why so much of it is ordinary, and the growers who cut yields on the hillsides make something with real density.
Worth knowing
It has nothing to do with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which is Sangiovese from a town of that name in Tuscany. Two centuries of confusion in one word. Its pink version, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo, is a proper rosato with the colour of cherry juice and enough grip to drink with food.
Where it is allowed46 appellations
Puglia15
- AlezioDOCStill hunting
- BarlettaDOCStill hunting
- BrindisiDOCStill hunting
- Cacc'e Mmitte di LuceraDOCStill hunting
- Castel del MonteDOCStill hunting
- Castel del Monte Rosso RiservaDOCGStill hunting
- CopertinoDOCStill hunting
- Gioia del ColleDOCStill hunting
- LeveranoDOCStill hunting
- LizzanoDOCStill hunting
- NardòDOCStill hunting
- Orta NovaDOCStill hunting
- Rosso di CerignolaDOCStill hunting
- San SeveroDOCStill hunting
- SquinzanoDOCStill hunting
Lazio10
Abruzzo9
- AbruzzoDOCStill hunting
- CasauriaDOCGlead grapemin 90%Still hunting
- Cerasuolo d'AbruzzoDOClead grapemin 85%Still hunting
- Colline Teramane Montepulciano d'AbruzzoDOCGlead grapemin 90%Still hunting
- ControguerraDOClead grapeStill hunting
- Montepulciano d'AbruzzoDOClead grapemin 85%Still hunting
- OrtonaDOClead grapeStill hunting
- Terre Tollesi (Tullum)DOCGlead grapeStill hunting
- VillamagnaDOClead grapemin 95%Still hunting