Earthy Steadyhand
Montepulciano
Montepulciano
Montepulciano
Born in the rugged heart of central Italy, my personality is grounded and reliable. You can count on me to deliver bold flavors and a comforting structure whenever you need a solid companion for dinner.
Born in the rugged heart of central Italy, my personality is grounded and reliable. You can count on me to deliver bold flavors and a comforting structure whenever you need a solid companion for dinner.
Born in the rugged heart of central Italy, my personality is grounded and reliable. You can count on me to deliver bold flavors and a comforting structure whenever you need a solid companion for dinner.
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Sun-Loving Reds
Body
Big & Bold
Tannins
Pillowy Presence
Acidity
Vibrant Balance
Sugar
Savagely Dry
Why you'll like me
Why you'll like me
I'm reliable
I'm fruity
I'm versatile
I'm the ultimate crowd-pleaser who never demands a high price for my company. People love me because I bring deep color and luscious fruit to the table without being pretentious. Whether you're eating a fancy roast or a Tuesday night pizza, I fit right in. My ability to offer great value while tasting expensive is a trick not everyone can pull off.
I'm the ultimate crowd-pleaser who never demands a high price for my company. People love me because I bring deep color and luscious fruit to the table without being pretentious. Whether you're eating a fancy roast or a Tuesday night pizza, I fit right in. My ability to offer great value while tasting expensive is a trick not everyone can pull off.
I'm the ultimate crowd-pleaser who never demands a high price for my company. People love me because I bring deep color and luscious fruit to the table without being pretentious. Whether you're eating a fancy roast or a Tuesday night pizza, I fit right in. My ability to offer great value while tasting expensive is a trick not everyone can pull off.
Why maybe not
I'm rustic
I'm confusing
I'm reduced
Sometimes I get a little too rustic or funky if I'm not handled with care in the cellar. My tannins can be a bit grippy when I'm young. Plus, I cause endless headaches because people confuse me with a town in Tuscany that grows Sangiovese. It's an identity crisis that isn't really my fault, but it still confuses everyone.
Sometimes I get a little too rustic or funky if I'm not handled with care in the cellar. My tannins can be a bit grippy when I'm young. Plus, I cause endless headaches because people confuse me with a town in Tuscany that grows Sangiovese. It's an identity crisis that isn't really my fault, but it still confuses everyone.
When drinking, notice this
Deep color
Dark fruit
Dried herbs
You'll immediately spot my deep, dark purple hue in the glass. On the palate, I tend to show a fleshy texture packed with dark berries and a hint of dried herbs. I strike a balance with medium acidity and tannins that are present but usually smooth enough to keep things interesting without drying out your mouth completely.
You'll immediately spot my deep, dark purple hue in the glass. On the palate, I tend to show a fleshy texture packed with dark berries and a hint of dried herbs. I strike a balance with medium acidity and tannins that are present but usually smooth enough to keep things interesting without drying out your mouth completely.
You'll immediately spot my deep, dark purple hue in the glass. On the palate, I tend to show a fleshy texture packed with dark berries and a hint of dried herbs. I strike a balance with medium acidity and tannins that are present but usually smooth enough to keep things interesting without drying out your mouth completely.
They also call me
Cordisco
Uva Abruzzese
MY LIFE STORIES
The Tuscan Identity Thief
The Tuscan Identity Thief
The Tuscan Identity Thief
I was born in central Italy, likely in the Abruzzo region, but my life has been plagued by a massive misunderstanding. There is a town called Montepulciano in Tuscany, but they grow Sangiovese there to make *Vino Nobile*. I have nothing to do with that town. I'm a distinct soul. Yet, for centuries, drinkers have mixed us up. It's a bit of a tragic comedy, really. I just want to be loved for who I'm, not who people think I'm geographically.
I was born in central Italy, likely in the Abruzzo region, but my life has been plagued by a massive misunderstanding. There is a town called Montepulciano in Tuscany, but they grow Sangiovese there to make *Vino Nobile*. I have nothing to do with that town. I'm a distinct soul. Yet, for centuries, drinkers have mixed us up. It's a bit of a tragic comedy, really. I just want to be loved for who I'm, not who people think I'm geographically.
The Backbone of the Boot
The Backbone of the Boot
The Backbone of the Boot
While others chase fame in prestige auctions, I've been busy feeding the people. I'm the second most planted red grape in Italy for a reason. In the rugged hills of Abruzzo, I found my true home where the mountains meet the sea. My vines thrive here, soaking up the Adriatic sun to create lush, ripe fruit. I don't need fancy terroir to shine. I'm the workhorse that became a stallion, proving that reliability is just as sexy as rarity.
While others chase fame in prestige auctions, I've been busy feeding the people. I'm the second most planted red grape in Italy for a reason. In the rugged hills of Abruzzo, I found my true home where the mountains meet the sea. My vines thrive here, soaking up the Adriatic sun to create lush, ripe fruit. I don't need fancy terroir to shine. I'm the workhorse that became a stallion, proving that reliability is just as sexy as rarity.
From Bulk to Beauty
From Bulk to Beauty
From Bulk to Beauty
For a long time, producers just wanted high yields from me to fill jugs. I was the pizza wine, simple and cheap. But lately, I've had a glow-up. Winemakers realized that if they treat me with respect and lower my yields, I can produce profound, ageworthy wines. I've moved from the bottom shelf to the cellar list. I'm proving that I can be complex, spicy, and deep without losing that approachable charm that made me famous in the first place.
For a long time, producers just wanted high yields from me to fill jugs. I was the pizza wine, simple and cheap. But lately, I've had a glow-up. Winemakers realized that if they treat me with respect and lower my yields, I can produce profound, ageworthy wines. I've moved from the bottom shelf to the cellar list. I'm proving that I can be complex, spicy, and deep without losing that approachable charm that made me famous in the first place.
REGIONS I LEAD
Abruzzo
Imagine a place where brown bears roam the hills while fishermen catch dinner down below. It is a stunning contrast of peaks and beaches that produces massive amounts of delicious, wallet-friendly wine without trying too hard.
Imagine a place where brown bears roam the hills while fishermen catch dinner down below. It is a stunning contrast of peaks and beaches that produces massive amounts of delicious, wallet-friendly wine without trying too hard.
Marche
Sandwiched between the Apennines and the Adriatic, this spot offers a glorious mix of sea breezes and mountain air. It serves as the spiritual home of crisp whites that age beautifully and reds that punch above their weight.
Sandwiched between the Apennines and the Adriatic, this spot offers a glorious mix of sea breezes and mountain air. It serves as the spiritual home of crisp whites that age beautifully and reds that punch above their weight.
REGIONS I HELP
Puglia
Imagine a skinny peninsula where olive trees outnumber people and the sun takes its job very seriously. This region used to just supply bulk juice for the north but now stands tall as a powerhouse of flavor.
Imagine a skinny peninsula where olive trees outnumber people and the sun takes its job very seriously. This region used to just supply bulk juice for the north but now stands tall as a powerhouse of flavor.
Lazio
Rome's personal cellar offers drinkable history without the pretentious price tag usually attached to Italian fame. While tourists rush north, locals stay put to sip crisp whites that have kept emperors hydrated for millennia.
Rome's personal cellar offers drinkable history without the pretentious price tag usually attached to Italian fame. While tourists rush north, locals stay put to sip crisp whites that have kept emperors hydrated for millennia.
SUB-REGIONS I LEAD
Colline Teramane
(
Abruzzo
)
Welcome to the penthouse suite of Abruzzo winemaking. This area holds the region's first DOCG title, meaning it isn't messing around when it comes to quality. It is where Montepulciano puts on a tuxedo and demands respect.
Welcome to the penthouse suite of Abruzzo winemaking. This area holds the region's first DOCG title, meaning it isn't messing around when it comes to quality. It is where Montepulciano puts on a tuxedo and demands respect.
Terre dei Vestini
(
Abruzzo
)
Located in Pescara's backyard, this area gets its swagger from an Italic tribe that loved a good drink. It is basically the sweet spot where clay-limestone soils create structured, serious Montepulciano minus the pretension.
Located in Pescara's backyard, this area gets its swagger from an Italic tribe that loved a good drink. It is basically the sweet spot where clay-limestone soils create structured, serious Montepulciano minus the pretension.
SUB-REGIONS I HELP
Castel del Monte
(
Puglia
)
Rising out of the plains north of Bari, this area sits under the shadow of a mysterious 13th-century fortress. It is the sophisticated cousin of the south, offering structure and elegance where other zones just offer jammy sugar.
Rising out of the plains north of Bari, this area sits under the shadow of a mysterious 13th-century fortress. It is the sophisticated cousin of the south, offering structure and elegance where other zones just offer jammy sugar.
Castelli Romani
(
Lazio
)
These volcanic hills southeast of Rome define the capital’s white wine habits. While Frascati steals the thunder, this wider area pumps out affordable, easy-drinking jugs destined for trattoria tables and sunset picnics.
These volcanic hills southeast of Rome define the capital’s white wine habits. While Frascati steals the thunder, this wider area pumps out affordable, easy-drinking jugs destined for trattoria tables and sunset picnics.
WINE STYLES I LEAD
Texas High Plains Red
Imagine a cowboy riding through a sandstorm but carrying a basket of ripe berries. This style captures the intense heat and surprising altitude of the region, delivering big fruit flavors wrapped in a distinct, dusty earthiness.
Imagine a cowboy riding through a sandstorm but carrying a basket of ripe berries. This style captures the intense heat and surprising altitude of the region, delivering big fruit flavors wrapped in a distinct, dusty earthiness.
Valle de Guadalupe Red Blend
Imagine Napa Valley got lost in the desert and decided to listen to rock and roll. These blends are savory, saline, and unapologetically bold, often mixing French, Italian, and Spanish grapes without caring about traditional rules.
Imagine Napa Valley got lost in the desert and decided to listen to rock and roll. These blends are savory, saline, and unapologetically bold, often mixing French, Italian, and Spanish grapes without caring about traditional rules.
Texas High Plains Red
Imagine a cowboy riding through a sandstorm but carrying a basket of ripe berries. This style captures the intense heat and surprising altitude of the region, delivering big fruit flavors wrapped in a distinct, dusty earthiness.
Valle de Guadalupe Red Blend
Imagine Napa Valley got lost in the desert and decided to listen to rock and roll. These blends are savory, saline, and unapologetically bold, often mixing French, Italian, and Spanish grapes without caring about traditional rules.
WINE STYLES I HELP
Central Italy Sangiovese
Think of this as pizza’s soulmate. Sangiovese dominates the Italian boot with savory herbs and bright cherry flavors that demand food. It is high in acid, grippy in texture, and absolutely refuses to be boring.
Think of this as pizza’s soulmate. Sangiovese dominates the Italian boot with savory herbs and bright cherry flavors that demand food. It is high in acid, grippy in texture, and absolutely refuses to be boring.
Think of this as pizza’s soulmate. Sangiovese dominates the Italian boot with savory herbs and bright cherry flavors that demand food. It is high in acid, grippy in texture, and absolutely refuses to be boring.
Southern Italy Aglianico
Get ready for a workout because Aglianico brings serious muscle to the glass. It is deep, dark, and brooding, offering a mouth-drying experience that demands a heavy meal to tame its wild, fiery structure.
Get ready for a workout because Aglianico brings serious muscle to the glass. It is deep, dark, and brooding, offering a mouth-drying experience that demands a heavy meal to tame its wild, fiery structure.
Get ready for a workout because Aglianico brings serious muscle to the glass. It is deep, dark, and brooding, offering a mouth-drying experience that demands a heavy meal to tame its wild, fiery structure.
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