Italian Montepulciano

Montepulciano is both a grape variety and a town, meaning wines carrying the name fall into one of these two camps. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a wine made in the vineyards around the town of Montepulciano in Tuscany. The DOCG here requires the wine to be made primarily (minimum 70%) from Tuscany’s dominant Sangiovese grape, blended with Canaiolo Nero and other local varieties for a smooth, relatively early-drinking style compared to, say, Brunello di Montalcino. Then there is Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, a wine made in Abruzzo – further south, on Italy’s eastern side – from the Montepulciano grape variety (with up to 15% Sangiovese permitted). The latter yields a deep, spicy, food-friendly red which is fairly robust and perfect for hearty, Italian taverna-style fare.