Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Masterclass in New York.
Very exciting to attend the Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour happening in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
So many producers from Italy arrived to share their delicious wines, many of them familiar from other Simply Italian Great Wines from other years, and from visits.
Today in New York, guests could attend a walk around tasting and several masterclasses. These masterclasses, led by experts in the regions, focused on both regions and leading grape varieties.
I attended the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo seminar, led by Joe Campanale, author and proprietor of two Italian restaurants in New York, and Davide Acearra of the Abruzzo d’Montepulciano region.
Mr. Acearra began with a description of Abruzzo and its unique topography, such as the way the grand mountains are only forty minutes by car from the sea.
This demonstrates the diversity of the climate, which impacts the flavor of wine from the specific terrior.
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
In addition to the climate and topography, Abruzzo boasts several different soil types that has an impact on the wine as well.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is the main red grape variety in Abruzzo. It is the iconic red grape variety of Abruzzo, in the same way Pinot Noir is the symbolic red grape of Burgundy.
What I liked best about the tasting component of this seminar is the way that we saw diverse examples of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, including delicious wine produced by a cooperative and also by the daughter of Abruzzo’s most iconic producers.
The Tasting
The wines below are 100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo as mandated by the consortium.
2021 Parhella from Cantina Colonnella
This is a classic good everyday drinking red wine representing very good value for the price.
2021 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo from Gennaro Pigliacampo winery
This recent release shows the potential longevity of these wines. Though youthful, its extensive aging process (months in stainless steel followed by additional aging in barrique then bottle) showed that it can improve with additional years in bottle.
2020 Vere Novo from Cantina Mazzarosa
This wine comes from one of the oldest wineries in Abruzzo. The grapes are whole bunched pressed which imbued it with a savory nature.
2019 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo from Fosso Corno
The extensive aging process of this Riserva wine included 9 month aging in oak
2018 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo from Poderi 2018 Costantini from Costantini Antonio
Over four years old, this wine still tastes very fresh with remarkable acidity and balancing tannins.
2017 Cape Le Vigne from Famiglia di Carlo
Long maceration on the skins is partly responsible for this wines excellent balance and great depth of flavor.
2017 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo from Tocco winery
Carefully selected grapes and wild yeast are two of the key elements responsible for this wine’s depth of flavor.
2008 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo from Stefania Pepe Agricola Bio Vitivinicola
I was lucky enough to have visited this estate earlier this year. Stefania is the daughter of the iconic Emidio Pepe, and started her bio-centered winery on her own.
When Stefania started her project, she was a literal one woman operation – and the same holds true today. This delicious wine is proof positive that she’s succeeded in her quest for quality while remaining true to the land.
