Abruzzo Wine producer
In 2011, the Villamagna DOC was established after several winegrowers decided it was time to create stricter quality standards for the growing of their Montepulciano grapes and the maturation of their wines.
The movement began in the late 1990s, but it took more than a decade to win their own appellation.
Abruzzo is famous for its Montepulciano grape, the way Chianti Classico is known for its Sangiovese and Umbria for its signature Sagrantino grape.
The producers of Villagmagna got together during the Abruzzo Wine Experience to offer their wines for journalists to taste.
The format was for journalists to visit the various tables, and taste two wines of every producer, typically a recent vintage and a riserva.
After the first tasting, it was clear that the stricter standards that Villagmagna imposes shines through in the wine. The emphasis on strict viticulture protocol and especially the longer maturation requirements result in very fine Montepulciano wine.
Soil in the Villamagna Doc is a mix of limestone, marl, and clay, which the producers say result in more complex aromas.
The wines are released three years after the harvest to give the wines the possibility to improve with bottle age.
Overall, the wines were rich, with soft velvet tannins, a long length of finish, and aromas and flavors including cherries and violets.
Though impressed by the high quality of the Villamagna wine, I was also pleased with the way that the producers all worked so seamlessly together.
They appeared intent on raising awareness of the Villamagna region as a cohesive group, not simply producers who shared vineyards in the same geographical area.
After the tasting, the producers put on a casual dinner under the stars in the town square.
It was fun to speak to the producers individually and learn their histories. Many of them had attended elementary school together, and have been longtime friends.
I was proud and grateful to raise a glass with them that night.
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