Wine Tip of the Week # 1 - Montepulciano

We distributed this Wine Tip of the Week # 1 to our Wine Friends through our Vintage Connections Wine Info email newsletter several weeks ago, and wanted to share on this Vintage Connections Wine Info blog.

We have used Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo from Italy for several events and find it to be an excellent, medium-bodied dry red. Each bottle is decorated with a small cutting from the vine. It is currently on sale for $11.99 at many PA Wine and Spirits stores. It's PLCB code is 004560.

More Info! Montepulciano is both a wine grape variety and a wine region in Italy, which can cause confusion when purchasing wine.

The Montepulciano wine grape (also known as "Montepulciano d'Abruzzo) is found in numerous regions in Italy and is grown in some areas of the US. The Montepulciano wine grape makes a medium-bodied red wine, rich deep red in color, with purple shades that evolve to a rich garnet color as it ages. It has a nose of strawberries and ripe plums, with a hint of leather and flavors of cherries, peaches and plums and a hint of tobacco. Great with rich, flavorful cheeses, lasagne and other pastas with red sauce.

The Montepulciano region of Italy is known for its sangiovese grapes, the main ingredient in Chianti. It is located north of Chianti, Italy (yes, there's a region named Chianti, too) in Siena in Tuscany. The region is known for its "Vino Nobile, the wine of the noblemen" often made of a blend of sangiovese with caniaolo, malvasia or trebbiano to add structure and complexity. It is a beautiful area of Italy with rolling hills, some 2500 vines, beautiful churches and "wonderful art and architecture".