Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2009 - Costa Al Sole

This ruby colored wine, made by winemaker Federico Riolfo, has bold inviting aromas of sour cherry, spices and dried herbs that explode from the glass and offer a preview of what is to follow on the palate. This smooth, medium-bodied wine is packed with ripe fruit flavor and nicely balanced by good acidity and soft tannins.

The winery, which has been producing traditional wines for over 90 years, has begun, in the last ten years, production of wines from organically grown grapes coming from most Italian regions. This Montepulciano is from Abruzzo, area of Chieti.

The winemaker Federico Riolfo has masterfully created Italian classic wines without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers.

This wine should not be confused with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a Tuscan wine made from Sangiovese and other grapes, but not the Montepulciano variety.

The quality of Montepulciano wines produced in Abruzzo (especially in the provinces of Pescara and Chieti) has been constantly improving in the last ten years, making Abruzzi, once a backwater in winemaking, one of the most interesting locales in the Italian scene.

It is blended with the grape Ciliegolo to make the wine Torgiano. It is also used as the primary grape in Rosso Conero DOCG and is a major part of the Rosso Piceno DOC blend.

Food Pairing: Hearty pasta dishes, roasted poultry or lamb, and ribs
Cheese Pairing: Pecorino, an Umbrian pressed sheep milk cheese, has a buttery nutty flavor

От себя: как выяснилось, выбор Монтепульчано в России достаточно велик; и моя бутылка оказалась в самом низшем ценовом диапазоне.