Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC [mawn-teh-pool-CHAH-noh dah-BROOD-dzoh]
DOC that is located in central Italy’s Abruzzi region and that isn’t related to the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, which is named after a town in the Tuscany region. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is named after the grape variety Montepulciano, which must make up at least 85 percent of this DOC’s wine (the rest is Sangiovese). Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC wines are generally ordinary, although several producers who keep yields low take care to produce good, full-bodied (see body) wines capable of long aging. Wines with “vecchio” on the label have been aged for a minimum of 2 years. The same grapes go into a cerasuolo (dry Rosato), which is considered quite good.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.