Montepulciano

Montepulciano – The character wine from Abruzzo & Central Italy

Montepulciano is one of the most important red wine varieties in central and southern Italy and is primarily known as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC/DOCG. Not to be confused with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (which is made from Sangiovese), Montepulciano stands for powerful, fruity wines with a dark color and Mediterranean character.

Aromas of black cherry, blackberry, plum, spices, violets, leather and licorice are typical of Montepulciano. Depending on the ageing process, the style ranges from young & fruity to barrel-aged & complex.

🔹 Young Montepulciano d’Abruzzo: Fresh, juicy, fruity, uncomplicated.
🔹 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva: Strong, structured, with warmth and depth.
🔹 Montepulciano cuvées or aged in wood: Multi-layered, spicy, with vanilla, tobacco & enamel.
🔹 Montepulciano Rosato (Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC): Fresh, fruity, with fine acidity and notes of strawberries, cherries and flowers.

➡ Montepulciano goes perfectly with rustic Italian cuisine, especially pasta, pizza, grilled dishes, stews & summer dishes.

🍝 Montepulciano & food – The best food pairings

1️⃣ Young, fruity Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Taste: Dry, juicy, with cherry, fruit and mild warmth.
Typical aromas: black cherry, plum, violet, wild berries.

✅ Best food pairings:
✔ Pasta with tomato sauce → Spaghetti all’amatriciana, Pasta al pomodoro, Lasagne
✔ Pizza & Mediterranean classics → Pizza Margherita, Bruschetta, Tramezzini
✔ Cold cuts & cheese → Salami, Prosciutto, Pecorino

➡ Recommended recipes:
– Spaghetti all’amatriciana
– Pizza with mozzarella & basil

2️⃣ Strong Montepulciano Riserva / aged in wooden barrels

Taste: Full-bodied, structured, with ripe fruit and spices.
Typical aromas: blackberry, tobacco, leather, licorice, vanilla.

✅ Best food pairings:
✔ Braised dishes & game → Lamb ragout, ossobuco, roast beef
✔ Grilled dishes & BBQ → Salsiccia, lamb chops, beef steak
✔ Strong cheese → Pecorino stagionato, Parmigiano Reggiano

➡ Recommended recipes:
– Lamb ragout with rosemary
– Ossobuco alla Milanese

3️⃣ Matured or cuvée Montepulciano

Taste: Multi-layered, round, with depth and a fine woody note.
Typical aromas: black cherry, chocolate, tobacco, spices.

✅ Best food pairings:
✔ Game dishes & roasts → Venison stew, wild boar, rabbit in red wine
✔ Mushroom dishes & truffles → Mushroom risotto, tagliatelle with truffles
✔ Cheese & snacks → Matured pecorino, truffle salami, olives

➡ Recommended recipes:
– Venison ragout with polenta
– Tagliatelle with truffles

4️⃣ Fresh Montepulciano Rosato (Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC)

Taste: Fresh, juicy, with red fruit and pleasant acidity.
Typical aromas: strawberry, cherry, rosehip, flowers.

✅ Best food pairings:
✔ Summer starters & salads → Caprese, grilled vegetables, vitello tonnato
✔ Fish dishes & seafood → Prawns, grilled salmon, antipasti di mare
✔ Light pasta & Mediterranean cuisine → Pasta with prawns, insalata di farro

➡ Recommended recipes:
– Vitello tonnato
– Pasta with prawns and zucchinis

🔍 Montepulciano & food pairing at a glance

🥂 The ideal serving temperature for Montepulciano

• Red wines: 16-18 °C

• Rosato (Cerasuolo): 8-12 °C – wonderfully refreshing on warm days!

🚀 Conclusion: Why Montepulciano goes perfectly with Italian country cuisine

Montepulciano is the rustic charmer of Italy: fruity & uncomplicated, strong & spicy, rosy & fresh or mature & complex – this wine loves hearty dishes, Italian classics and summery moments of pleasure in equal measure! 🍷🇮🇹

➢ Which combination did you like best? Discover all the matching recipes here! 😊🚀

Latest recipes with Montepulciano to accompany dishes

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Tagliatelle with green asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes & herb oil

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