Montepulciano wine top brands and bottles for 2026

Top 10 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine bottles to buy online

Our handpicked selection of the best Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines is the ideal starting point for exploring this variety, including various DOC and structured Riserva bottlings. At the top of our rankings is the intensely silky Colle Vota Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2021 by Tiberio, rated 5/5 and priced at approximately $150, alongside the trusty, balanced Cataldi Madonna Malandrino Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2023, priced at roughly $30. 

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine taste at a glance

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo tastes dry and fruit forward, with flavors of red plum, black cherry and blackberry. Crafted from grapes of the same name, Montepulciano wines are medium to full bodied, with a deep, violet purple color and a distinct, persistent smoky finish.

Let’s get practical: what does Montepulciano wine taste like?

• Primary flavors of red plum, blackberry, sour cherry and the occasional taste of violet. 
• Its structure is dry, with medium to high acidity and moderate tannins. 
• Savory and earthy secondary notes, as well as hints of cocoa and roasted coffee. 
• While it is often enjoyed young, premium expressions can develop notes of leather and olive with age. 

Common misconception: it is important to distinguish between Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (the grape/wine from the Abruzzo region) and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (a Tuscan wine crafted from Sangiovese, not the Montepulciano grape).

What is Montepulciano wine? A gritty classic explained

Montepulciano wine

Montepulciano is a medium to full bodied red wine crafted primarily from the dark skinned grape variety of the same name in central Italy and it also makes an excellent rosé. It is dry and approachable, featuring moderate tannins, dark fruit flavors and spice notes that make it versatile for food pairing. The Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine ABV is typically between 12-15%.

The Montepulciano grape is also known as Cordisco, Morellone, or Uva Abruzzese. It is a high yielding, robust and versatile variety that produces deeply colored wines, varying from ruby red to purple, depending on the vintage and winemaking techniques. Despite its thick skin, it has a high juice to skin ratio that gives its wines modest tannins, making it an ideal blending component.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine is a structured, approachable wine crafted from at least 85% Montepulciano grapes. It is typically medium to full bodied with moderate tannins and intense red and black fruit notes of blackberry, prune and sour cherry, as well as hints of cocoa, vanilla and earth.

The wines can be age worthy Riserva versions, matured in oak barrels and featuring grippy tannins, but most Montepulciano red wines are light and fruity, designed to be consumed young.

How is Montepulciano wine made?

Montepulciano wine is crafted from at least 85% Montepulciano grapes (often up to 100%) and up to 15% Sangiovese.

• Grapes are typically hand harvested from vineyards in the hills of Abruzzo in late September or early October. DOC regulations state that maximum yields should not exceed 14,000 kg per hectare.
• After harvesting, the grapes are destemmed to prevent bitter flavors and lightly crushed to release the juice.
• Fermentation often occurs in temperature controlled stainless steel vats to preserve fresh fruit flavors, although producers use oak barrels for Riserva wines. Before fermentation, some winemakers subject the grapes to a cold soak to extract aromas.
• Maceration or skin contact is a crucial step that lasts from a few days to several weeks, allowing the juice to soak up color, tannins and flavor from the skins.
• Aging: standard Montepulciano red wines are released after 6-18 months of aging in stainless steel. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva must be aged for at least 24 months, with a minimum of 9 months in oak barrels.
• Clarification involves adding fining agents to the wine to remove particles, after which it is then filtered and bottled for commercial release.

In some specific areas, such as Terre dei Vestini, there are stricter rules guiding its production, including the use of 100% Montepulciano, higher alcohol levels (above 13%) and longer oak aging (at least 30 months, with 9 months in wood for wines labeled Riserva).

Montepulciano grape​: a deep dive into Abruzzo’s signature grape

The Montepulciano grape is primarily grown in Abruzzo. It thrives in warm climates and hillside vineyards, producing deeply colored wines with rich tannins. This versatile grape yields different wine styles in addition to the popular Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine such as:

• Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC
• Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva
• Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC
• Spumante Metodo Classico

Did you know? Montepulciano wines are a famous pairing for pizza and rich tomato based pasta dishes due to their high acidity and juicy plum and blackberry flavors.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine price spectrum

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo red wine prices range from high quality, value driven bottles retailing at less than $20 to 5/5 premium collectibles that exceed $100. This Italian wine offers a very good quality to price ratio and some key factors affecting the price of Montepulciano red wines include:

• Appellation & quality classification: cult wines from Colline Teramane DOCG are of higher quality and guided by stricter production guidelines, which leads to higher prices compared to standard DOC wines.  
• Aging process: Montepulciano Riserva wines are aged for longer (at least 2 years, including oak), which increases their cost compared to easy drinking, youthful versions. 
• Wines from specific subzones within the DOC known for their exceptional terroir expression, such as Alto Tirino and Casauria, may also command higher prices.
• Established and reputable producers like Emidio Pepe and Valentini, with a focus on quality rather than mass production, also command significantly higher prices.
• Older, rarer vintages also tend to reach premium prices due to higher demand by collectors and wine enthusiasts. 

See below our handpicked Montepulciano d’Abruzzo bottles by price range:

Notable Montepulciano wine brands

The best Montepulciano wine brands can be found primarily in Abruzzo, Italy, well recognized for their quality, tradition and influence. They generally focus on creating robust red wines from the late ripening grape, with a preference for high altitude, limestone rich soils and 100% varietal wines. Among the best Montepulciano wine producers, we can name:

1. Cataldi Madonna: a family estate since 2020, with a focus on sustainable viticulture and native Abruzzo varieties.
2. Masciarelli: the first winery to use French oak barrels for Montepulciano, now a leading producer known for 100% estate grown Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.
3. Emidio Pepe: an iconic winery, pioneers of organic and low intervention Montepulciano wines.

Here is a closer look at these celebrated producers:

What is the right wine glass to drink Montepulciano?

To fully enjoy Montepulciano wine, choose a large, tall red wine glass with a broad bowl. This shape provides ample surface area for aeration, crucial for releasing the wine’s deep aromas of dark fruit, earth and spice. The slightly tapered rim helps concentrate the bouquet and direct the wine smoothly across the palate.

Note: this is especially important for structured, tannic Montepulciano styles, including Montepulciano d’Abruzzo aged riservas.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo’s key producing provinces

The Montepulciano wine region is centered in Abruzzo, as the name Montepulciano d’Abruzzo clearly indicates. Here, the balance of mountain influence from the Apennines and breezes from the Adriatic Sea creates the perfect conditions for growing this grape.

The best Italian Montepulciano wine comes from the following four Abruzzo’s key provinces:

1. Teramo: located in northern Abruzzo, featuring gentle hills, strong Mediterranean breezes and clay limestone soils. Teramo is home to Colline Teramane DOCG, known for more structured and age worthy Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines.  
2. Chieti: in southern Abruzzo, the largest production area with warmer, coastal hills and diverse soils rich in sand and clay. Approachable Montepulciano red wines are produced here.
3. Pescara, the central Abruzzo region, is a mix of coastal influence and cool climate terroir with gray blue marl soils. This area produces balanced, elegant and complex expressions with high acidity.
4. L’Aquila is high altitude and mountainous inland with distinct temperature shifts and rocky terrain. The weather here is ideal for the production of fresh, high acidity Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo wines. 

Unlike many Italian wines, Montepulciano has a strong and unified regional identity, with only a few minor exceptions. Although Abruzzo remains the heart of production, several neighboring regions produce wines using the same grape, often with regional twists. The Montepulciano grape is also widely grown in the Marche region, where it is a primary grape often blended with Sangiovese to produce notable red wines:

• Rosso Conero DOC: minimum of 85% Montepulciano with up to 15% Sangiovese.
• Rosso Piceno DOC: a blend of Montepulciano (35-85%) and Sangiovese (15-50%).
• Offida Rosso DOCG: at least 85% Montepulciano blended in with other permitted red grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

Wines from this region are often deeply colored, high in acidity and featuring notes of cherry and leather. In addition to the above appellations, Montepulciano is also found in the red wines of Esino DOC (minimum 60%).

It also appears in blends in Molise (rustic and earthy wines crafted from Montepulciano together with Aglianico and Trebbiano)and Puglia (where it is paired with Primitivo and Negroamaro for a fruit forward wine). 

Montalcino vs Montepulciano wine: let’s clear things up

To understand the difference between Montalcino and Montepulciano wine, we need to start with a few key facts, because this is where the confusion usually begins. Let’s break it down. There are three main characters behind the confusion:

1. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo: this is a red wine made only in Abruzzo from the Montepulciano grape (where the name comes from).
2. The town of Montepulciano (Tuscany): in this town, they make a wine called Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which is made with Sangiovese grapes (not Montepulciano grapes!). Despite the name, it’s not related to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.
3. Brunello di Montalcino: this is another wine similar to Montepulciano, made in a town called Montalcino from Sangiovese grapes. Some people mistakenly call it Brunello di Montepulciano wine, but that’s totally incorrect.

That being clarified, let’s get back to the real difference between Montalcino and Montepulciano wines:

• Brunello di Montalcino is a complex, bold wine, high in tannins and acidity. It needs aging.
  Ideal for: wine lovers who enjoy structured, elegant, age worthy reds.
• Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a fruity, rich wine with smooth tannins, approachable even when young.
  Ideal for: casual wine drinkers and everyday meals.

How to serve and store Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is best served slightly below room temperature, ideally between 60-65°F (15-18°C). To get the most out of your Montepulciano d’Abruzzo:

1. Store bottles horizontally in a cool, dark place at a consistent temperature and away from excessive noise.
2. Decant for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving to allow the wine to open up and soften its tannins.
3. Pour into a standard, wide bowled red wine glass, such as the Bordeaux wine glass, to allow the wine to breathe and release its aromas.

Decanting is essential for Montepulciano wines over 8 years of age to eliminate reductive notes, dissolve sediment and allow oxygen to release secondary and tertiary notes (leather, dried herbs, earth).

Montepulciano wine for beginners: where to start

Montepulciano is quite an approachable red wine, ideal for new wine enthusiasts. To start on the right foot, though, you need to keep these tips in mind:

• Opt for younger vintages (3-6 years). Standard Montepulciano usually sees 6-12 months in oak, reaching peak fruitiness and balance within a few years.
• Serve slightly cool (60-65°F or 15-18°C). Its moderate to high alcohol (12-15%) and dense fruit benefit from cooler temperatures, which soften the alcohol and highlight aromas.
• Pair with hearty foods. Medium high tannins and bright acidity complement rich, protein heavy dishes like steak, balancing fat and enhancing flavors.

Key food pairings for Montepulciano wine

Montepulciano’s firm tannins and high acidity need food with structure and depth. Pairing it with rich, textured dishes softens the wine’s grip and amplifies its fruit and spice notes.

Top Montepulciano food pairings include:

• Hearty Abruzzo dishes like lamb alla chitarra, porchetta, arrosticini (Abruzzo’s traditional grilled lamb skewers) grilled Ventricina sausage.
• Aged regional cheeses such as Pecorino di Farindola, Pecorino di Fossa from Marche and Caciocavallo.
• Slow cooked and grilled meats like braised wild boar, lamb scottadito and grilled Ventricina sausage.

In the table below, find our top 5 food categories to create the perfect Montepulciano wine pairings:

Here are some more pairing tips for Montepulciano:

• Match intensity: its moderate tannins and high acidity are best paired with rich and savory dishes like rich meat sauces or spicy sausages.
• Dishes that feature herbs like rosemary, thyme and oregano, or other earthy components like mushrooms, perfectly complement the wine’s savory, rustic notes. 
• For an ideal experience, serve Montepulciano with regional classics such as timballo, soppressata or Abruzzese soups (e.g., pallote cacio e ova)

How we rate Montepulciano wine

Our editorial team rates Montepulciano wine based on a 5 point scale, assessing its appearance, aroma/bouquet, flavor/palate and the overall impression. Quality is our watchword and so we ensure to evaluate every single bottle we recommend, without bias or labels. The final scores are aggregated over 50 points, which is then converted to the 5 point scale that you see.

The 5 point scale can be interpreted as:

• 5 = Exceptional
• 4 = Excellent
• 3 = Very Good
• 2 = Good
• 1 = Fair

What do we assess?

• Appearance (up to 5 points): clarity, color, brightness
• Aroma & bouquet (up to 15 points): intensity, complexity, absence of flaws
• Flavor & palate (up to 20 points): balance of acidity, tannin, alcohol, depth, mouthfeel
• Overall impression (up to 10 points): harmony, complexity, typicity, finish, aging potential.

In addition to the above criteria, we also carry out a Montepulciano d’Abruzzo specific evaluation by assessing:

• The wine’s visual appearance: a good Montepulciano wine is opaque and deep, intense ruby red when young, shifting towards garnet as it ages.
• Structure: a balance of medium to full body, velvety tannins, moderate acidity and a smooth finish.
• Bouquet: quality is indicated by a balance of primary fruit notes, secondary aromas of black pepper and spices and tertiary notes of leather and tobacco.

For consistency, we rate each bottle within its category. A Montepulciano DOC is compared to other DOC wines and not a Riserva. Wines from specific subzones such as Colline Teramane DOCG are also compared strictly against their peers.

A note from our team: wine preferences are determined by personal taste and our scores are a reflection of the palate and taste of our expert tasting panel. We recommend that you read through the attached tasting notes for each bottle to find the ones you love the most.

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