In the gentle hills of Abruzzo, where the Adriatic breeze meets the foothills of the Apennines, Francesco Cirelli cultivates his remarkable Montepulciano. Here, on barren clay-limestone soils that demand strength from the vines, a wine is created that epitomises the unadulterated soul of this often overlooked Italian region. Cirelli's artisanal approach - manual harvesting, careful destemming and restrained extraction - reflects his philosophy: to let the character of the terroir speak without the human hand being too noticeable.<\/p>\n
The colour in the glass is a deep, almost impenetrable ruby red with violet reflections - the characteristic signature of a young, vital Montepulciano that is still learning to tame its power.<\/p>\n
The olfactory landscape of this wine unfolds in layers. At first, dark fruits dominate with remarkable precision: juicy black cherries, wild blackberries and ripe black mulberries, reminiscent of late summer hikes through the Abruzzese hills. Underneath is a layer of concentrated plum jam, subtly flavoured with cloves - an indication of the perfect physiological ripeness of the grapes. A surprising note of redcurrant breaks through the dominance of dark fruit and gives the bouquet a welcome freshness. The occasional flash of blackberry leaves adds a tart dimension that prevents the wine from being overly opulent - a Montepulciano that masters the balance between power and elegance.<\/p>\n
The true skilfulness of the winemaker is evident on the palate. The first sip reveals a juicy, generous abundance of fruit, which never becomes overloaded. The texture of the tannins is remarkable - not rough or demanding, as one might expect from some more rustic representatives of this grape variety, but surprisingly fine-grained, almost powdery in texture. They envelop the mouth with gentle authority, while the ripe but present acidity provides the necessary structure. A subtle bitterness unfolds in the finish, reminiscent of high-proof dark chocolate - a typical characteristic of the Montepulciano grape when treated with respect. This wine bears the signature of a winemaker who understands that true quality lies not in exaggerated extraction or technological intervention, but in the ability to preserve the natural expressiveness of the vine.<\/p>\n
With its 12.5% Alcohol<\/strong> and a restrained residual sweetness, this Montepulciano remains refreshingly drinkable - a wine that does not want to impress with its power, but with its balance and authenticity. The 2023 vintage is already accessible, but has enough structure to mature harmoniously for a few more years. Francesco Cirelli, a pioneer of sustainable winemaking in Abruzzo, demonstrates with this wine that traditional grape varieties in their purest form are often the most convincing ambassadors of their homeland.<\/p>\n This Montepulciano calls for the down-to-earth cuisine of its homeland. It harmonises excellently with Arrosticini<\/strong> - the typical lamb skewers of Abruzzo, grilled over charcoal. Also recommended are Pasta alla Chitarra with rich game ragout<\/strong> or a simple Bruschetta with mature pecorino and black olives<\/strong>. The velvety tannins also make it a worthy accompaniment to Mushroom risotto with parmesan shavings<\/strong> or Grilled aubergines with garlic and mint<\/strong>. A wine that enriches both the festive table and the uncomplicated dinner - in keeping with Italian tradition, where good wine is above all a food that gives pleasure without forcing itself to the fore.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Food pairing suggestions<\/h3>\n
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