{"title":"Montepulciano d'Abruzzo","description":"\u003cp\u003eMontepulciano d'Abruzzo is the DOC covering wines made from the Montepulciano grape within Abruzzo on Italy's Adriatic coast, one tier below Colline Teramane, the smaller DOCG zone reserved for the most tightly regulated examples. Abruzzo's mix of mountain and coastal influence gives the wines a distinctive balance of ripeness and freshness, with soft tannins and dark cherry fruit that make them approachable even young, though the better examples reward a few years in bottle. It remains one of Italy's best-value reds, rarely commanding the prices of more fashionable regions despite consistently reliable quality. For the grape more broadly, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/montepulciano\"\u003eMontepulciano\u003c\/a\u003e covers examples from beyond Abruzzo too, including New Zealand's take on the variety. For the wider Italian range, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/italian-wine\"\u003eItalian Wine\u003c\/a\u003e covers everything else on offer.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"caldora-montepulciano-dabruzzo","title":"Caldora Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaldora Montepulciano d'Abruzzo\u003c\/strong\u003e is a generous, crowd-friendly Italian red from vineyards along the Adriatic coast of Abruzzo. Made entirely from Montepulciano, it combines ripe dark fruit with a full, rounded palate and enough tannic structure to keep it lively at the table. The 2024 vintage is rich and immediately approachable rather than overly heavy, making it an excellent everyday choice for pizza, tomato-based pasta, meatballs, grilled pork or a relaxed antipasti platter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRuby red with garnet highlights, the wine has an intense, persistent and fruity bouquet led by wild berries. The palate is full bodied and well balanced, with gentle tannins and a clean finish. Fruit comes from vineyards around Ortona, San Salvo and Pollutri, where southeast-facing vines grow on clay and limestone soils. The grapes undergo four days of cold maceration before fermentation in stainless steel at 24°C to 26°C for eight to ten days.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLuca Maroni, 94\/100 (2024 Vintage)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDanielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast, 88\/100 (2024 Vintage)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"The nose is both tangy and balanced, with aromas of blackberries, black plums, tea leaves, pepper and crushed rocks.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Sante Wines","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182025302383,"sku":"100528","price":167.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/CaldoraMontepulcianod_Abruzzo.jpg?v=1785127702"},{"product_id":"cantina-zaccagnini-montepulciano-dabruzzo-doc","title":"Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC 2023","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC is part of the winery's Tralcetto line, identifiable by the small vine twig tied to the neck of every bottle, a nod to the deep roots connecting the wine to its Abruzzo home. It's grown on medium textured clay soils in the Abruzzo region, tied to traditional awning and espalier training systems, with grapes picked in September. The style is classic Montepulciano done simply and well: destemmed and crushed, fermented with submerged cap maceration under controlled temperature for around two weeks, then aged in steel on its own lees rather than in oak, keeping the focus squarely on fruit and territory.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the winery says:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass it shows a deep purple red with violet reflections, leading into aromas of ripe red berries lifted by a lively spiciness of white pepper. The palate is coherent and well balanced, with good persistence and soft, harmonious tannins that make it an easy wine to pair with food. Zaccagnini suggests serving it with cold cuts, meat or vegetable first courses, or pizza with bold toppings, at a cool fourteen to sixteen degrees.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the experts say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJames Suckling (2023 vintage) - 90 points\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRich yet lifted, offering dark berries, citrus peel, sweet spices and crushed stones on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied and intense, with crunchy acidity and firm tannins shaping a gently exposed structure.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dhall \u0026 Nash","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182027465071,"sku":"100594","price":149.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/CantinaZaccagniniMontepulcianod_AbruzzoDOC2023.jpg?v=1783924590"},{"product_id":"montalbano-montepulciano-dabruzzo-doc","title":"Mont'Albano Montepulciano D'Abruzzo DOC 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMont'Albano Montepulciano D'Abruzzo DOC\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGrown on organic vineyards in the heart of Abruzzo, this wine is built entirely from Montepulciano, the grape that gives the region its signature red. Expect a deep ruby colour and a generous mix of plum, spiced oak and a savoury edge that carries through to a dry, well rounded palate. The tannins sit soft rather than gripping, making this an easy match for roasted meats, tomato based pasta or a plate of aged cheese. Sealed under screw cap at 13% ABV, it is a reliable, food friendly red for everyday drinking.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat the winery says: Mont'Albano has been farming organically in northern Italy since the mid 1980s, well before organic viticulture became fashionable. The estate holds firm to that original choice, working with a network of trusted growers who farm exclusively for Mont'Albano under the same organic standards, with grapes vinified in certified organic facilities. This Abruzzo red shows a bright, warm ruby colour and layered, characterful aromas, with a dry, gracious palate carried by soft, well judged tannins and a harmonious finish. Even the packaging reflects the same thinking, with lighter glass bottles and labels printed on recycled paper using environmentally friendly ink.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dhall \u0026 Nash","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53182027563375,"sku":"100597","price":119.94,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0968\/2252\/6319\/files\/Mont_AlbanoMontepulcianoD_AbruzzoDOC2024.jpg?v=1783923754"}],"url":"https:\/\/stolencellar.co.nz\/collections\/montepulciano-dabruzzo.oembed","provider":"Stolen Cellar","version":"1.0","type":"link"}