The Montepulciano
Grape
A widely planted red grape variety in Italy, especially in the Abruzzo region, where it produces the robust and plummy Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. Not to be confused with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which is made from Sangiovese. Montepulciano wines are known for their deep color, medium acidity, and soft tannins.
Montepulciano
Grape History
Montepulciano is a red wine grape variety that is native to the central Italian regions of Abruzzo and Marche. Despite its name, it is not related to the town of Montepulciano in Tuscany, which is known for producing the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wine made primarily from Sangiovese grapes. Montepulciano grapes are believed to have been cultivated in Italy for centuries, with references to the variety dating back to the 18th century.
One of the most interesting facts about Montepulciano is its versatility. It can be made into a range of wine styles, from light and fruity rosés to rich and robust red wines. Montepulciano wines are known for their deep color, smooth tannins, and flavors of dark fruits such as black cherry and plum. They often have a medium to full body and a moderate level of acidity.
Montepulciano is primarily grown in the Abruzzo region of Italy, where it thrives in the warm Mediterranean climate and rocky, limestone-rich soils. It is also cultivated in other parts of central and southern Italy, as well as in regions outside of Italy such as Australia and California.
In Italy, Montepulciano is commonly used as a blending grape, often paired with Sangiovese in wines such as Rosso Conero and Rosso Piceno. However, it is also used to produce varietal wines, particularly in the Abruzzo region where it is the dominant grape variety in wines such as Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.
The future of Montepulciano as a wine grape variety looks promising, as its popularity continues to grow both in Italy and internationally. The variety's ability to produce high-quality wines at various price points makes it appealing to a wide range of consumers. Additionally, the increasing focus on indigenous grape varieties and regional diversity in the wine world plays in favor of Montepulciano's continued success.
Overall, Montepulciano is a versatile and underrated grape variety that has a rich history and a bright future in the world of wine. Its ability to produce a range of wine styles makes it a valuable asset to winemakers and wine enthusiasts alike.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel