Abruzzo

Barba Vignafranca Montepulciano, Abruzzo, Italy.

Grapes 100% Montepulciano [Mawn-teh-pool-CHA-noh] I personally always make the point of pronouncing it in as ridiculously strong of an Italian accent as possible, with plenty of hand gestures (no matter where I am): Montepulciano!!!   Facts The first question I always end up answering about Montepulciano (as a grape) is: “What is it most similar to?” The best way I’ve found to describe Montepulciano is almost as a cross between Merlot and Chianti. The body…

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Gran Sasso Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Grape 100% Montepulciano [Mawn-teh-pool-CHA-noh] It’s a fun grape to say, especially if you do so with a really bad Italian accent. Say it with me: “Montepulciano!!!” Facts I hope you’re paying attention, because this is going to get tricky for a second! This wine is made from the Montepulciano grape; however there is ALSO a town called Montepulciano in Tuscany, which as it happens is nowhere near the Abruzzo region where this wine hails from….

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Di Majo Norante Sangiovese, Umbria – Italy

Grapes 100% Sangiovese [San-joe-vay-say] The name Sangiovese is thought to come from Sanguis Jovis or “Blood of Jove” (Jove being the Roman name for Jupiter), indicating that wines were made from Sangiovese grapes even back in Roman times. Facts Di Majo Norante Sangiovese has been an easy-drinking Italian go-to of mine for quite some time now. Considering how many bottles I’ve popped open over the last few years, I thought a review was warranted. If…

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