Abruzzo · DOC

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC is dark, cherry-scented and built on Montepulciano. It comes from vineyards across Abruzzo, from Adriatic-facing hills to inland valleys, with at least 85% Montepulciano. Expect plum, black cherry, spice and rounded tannin beside the firmer Sangiovese frame of Chianti.

37

Wines

10

Retailers

Sub-zones

Alto TirinoDOC CasauriaDOC TeateDOC Terre dei PeligniDOC Terre dei VestiniDOC

Taste & Pairing

Taste Profile

Body 4/5
Tannin 3/5
Acidity 3/5
Sweetness 1/5

Key Flavours

Blackberry Blackberry
Blueberry Blueberry
Leather Leather
Violet Violet

Pairs With

Italian Pasta Italian pasta dishes for wine pairing on a transparent background British Pies & Puddings British Pies & Puddings signature plate, overhead International Fish and seafood Fish and Seafood section featured plated dish

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Wine Selection

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Editorial

Vintage Provenance

Why There Is No Vintage Chart

No denomination-wide vintage chart is currently published for Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC. Current sources define the DOC and discuss selected vintages or producer tastings, but quality is tracked producer by producer rather than through a maintained annata table.

How Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is Made

Current DOC rules require vineyards to be at least 85% Montepulciano, with up to 15% other non-aromatic red grapes suitable for Abruzzo. The production zone spans all four Abruzzo provinces, on hills generally capped at 600 metres, or 700 metres for south-facing sites. Maximum yield is 15 tonnes per hectare, the wine cannot be released before 1 February after harvest, and minimum alcohol at consumption is 12.0%. The base DOC does not require oak, though wood ageing is allowed. Named subzones set stricter grape, alcohol and ageing rules.

In-Depth Guide

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC must come from vineyards with at least 85% Montepulciano. The remaining portion, up to 15%, can be other non-aromatic red grapes authorised for Abruzzo.

No. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is an Abruzzo DOC based on the Montepulciano grape, while Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a Tuscan DOCG from the town of Montepulciano and is led by Sangiovese.

It usually tastes of black cherry, plum, red berries, spice and sometimes violet, tobacco or liquorice. The best bottles balance generous body with rounded tannin rather than sharp austerity.

Most young bottles do not need a long decant. Give structured, oak-aged or older examples about 30 minutes so the plum fruit, spice and tannin settle in the glass.

Choose Italian dishes with savoury depth: arrosticini, maccheroni alla chitarra al ragu, salsiccia, aged Pecorino or mushroom-led pasta. The wine's cherry fruit and rounded tannin handle fat and salt well.

This page covers the red Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC. Abruzzo also has Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC, a separate cherry-coloured rosé style made from the same Montepulciano grape.

On the table

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