Wine "Montepulciano": description and reviews

Winemakers of many countries will tell you that the best drink comes from berries, the vines of which have been growing in the region for a long time. Of course, in the modern world there was a fashion for French varieties: Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet and Sauvignon. But we will leave them to those areas where grapes have not traditionally been grown: Chile, New Zealand, California. In Italy, however, growing French vines, accustomed to a cool and rainy climate, is a waste of time and energy. Therefore, in the country continue to cultivate varieties, known even in the times of Ancient Rome. This is "Sangiovese" ("the blood of Jupiter") and "Montepulciano."

The last one will be devoted to our article. We will consider an interesting history of the variety, and also advise you which wine Montepulciano should choose. Vines are cultivated throughout the east coast of Italy: in Molise, Marche, Apulia to the very south, Lazio and Umbria. But where does this variety show itself particularly brightly and nobly?

Little confusion in the names

The grape variety and drink from it have nothing to do with the small town of Montepulciano in Tuscany, a province on the western coast of Italy. This settlement was founded by the Etruscan king Lars Persenna. Since then, the inhabitants of Mont-Mercury (which was later renamed the Mont-Politianus) were engaged in winemaking. The fruit of their labors appeared in the early twentieth century, a noble drink, which glorified the city. "Nobile (aristocratic) from Montepulciano" - this name was given to him by master Adam Fanetti. And in the year 1910 this wine received the highest classification in Italy - DOCG.

Drink, of course, very good, frankly, excellent. With one caveat: the wine "Nobile di Montepulciano" is made from Sangiovese berries, produced only in the Tuscan town. In our article we will talk about the sort of grapes and wine, obtained from its berries - "Montepulciano".

History of the drink

Still Pliny the Elder mentioned that in a mountainous region of Abruzzo a wonderful grapes are grown. It is believed that the birthplace of the variety is Valle Pelinha Valley, located in the heart of the mountainous region. This variety loves dry hot climate and a little clay soils on the slopes of the hills.

The very first record about him in historical documents refers to the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two. Michele Torcia, archivist of King Ferdinand the Fourth, noted that in Sulmona (Valle Pelinha) they make the finest wine from the local grapes. They and now seated more than half of the acreage in the region - thirty-five thousand hectares.

Around the end of the nineteenth century, berries began to grow in the coastal areas of Abruzzo. There, the drink received a new sound. And when in Italy in 1968 the classification of drinks was accepted, the wine "Montepulciano" received the first DOC (Montepulciano d'Abruzzo). A special popularity in the country was gained after the end of World War II.

Requirements for DOC wines

The wine zone does not cover the entire Abruzzo mountain range, but only four small regions: Teramo, Pescara, L'Aquila and Chieti. A good Montepulciano wine must meet the following criteria:

• Landing vines should not exceed a height of five hundred meters above sea level (on the southern slopes are allowed 600 m);
• Grapes should not grow in the lowlands.

DOC is divided into five sub-regions: Terre di Casauria, dei Vesti, Alto Tirino, Peligny and Teate. In these sub-zones, wine production is regulated by special rules. Until two thousand and ten of the year, DOC included rose wines. They were made with the addition of red grapes "Montepulciano". Now pink wines from Abruzzo are allocated in a separate DOC Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo.

It is worth saying that the taste of berries and beverage is influenced primarily by the climate that forms the mountains and the close proximity of the sea. Clay soils are also of great importance.

Wine "Montepulciano d'Abrozzo"

What kind of drink from this mountainous region is considered the most exquisite? In two thousand and third year such a special terroir was found. This is a small area in the north of Abruzzo, which was allocated to the DOCG (the highest classification of wines in Italy). It is called Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane. Wines from this territory are only red and often monosort.

Drinks from the Terre di Kazauria subzone are one hundred percent Montepulciano. In Dei Vesti and Teat, the addition of other varieties is allowed not more than 10%, and in Alto Tirino - 5%.

Table red wine "Montepulciano" begins to be sold from the spring of the next year after the harvest. Vintage drinks are aged up to eighteen months. And three quarters of the time the wines are ripening in barrels, and then they are taken out in bottles in cool cellars. Monosort and assortment drinks from Terre Peligny have the longest exposure - two years. Of these, they spend nine months in barrels.

Characteristics

Montepulciano - wine, which has its own exceptional character. It is difficult to confuse it with other varieties. This wine is distinguished by the rich color of the dark ruby. Its taste is elegant with perfectly balanced acidity and mild manifestation of tannins. In a fresh deep and self-sufficient bouquet, notes of ripe black cherry, plum, warm spices with nuances of tobacco and black olives are felt. In the long and languid aftertaste, shades of mulberry and dried fruits are played against the background of cocoa. These wines are usually served to fine restaurant dishes from game or red meat, pasta, expensive cheeses, cheese sausages.

Montepulciano wine: famous brands

Let's start the review with table beverages. The bottle of "Tini Montepulciano d'Abrozzo" harvest of two thousand and fifteenth year will be a good accompaniment for a meal of pasta carbonara or meat dishes. The price is four hundred and forty rubles for 0.75 liters. The cost of drinks varies considerably depending on the manufacturer.

The same young wine in 2015. "Fontegaya Montepulciano d'Abrozzo" is more expensive almost a half times and costs 590 rubles. If the price of a thousand rubles does not scare you, try the brand "Podere". A gorgeous gift and a real joy for gourmets will be "Montepulciano d'Abrozzo Riserva". This drink is produced by the family company "Mascaryrelli Marina Cvetić" (Masciarelli Marina Cvetić). The drink is classified as DOC. Especially he is good from the vine harvest of two thousand and eleven.