129. Montepulciano Grape Guide: Abruzzo, Cerasuolo & Italy's Underrated Red Grape
Host: Joanne Close Episode Length: 12:07 Release Date: September 15, 2026
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Episode Description
Joanne continues the series on Italian grape varietals with a grape that rarely gets top billing, but deserves more attention: Montepulciano. Before digging into the grape itself, she clears up one of the most common points of confusion in Italian wine, the fact that there is a grape called Montepulciano and also a town called Montepulciano in Tuscany, and the two have nothing to do with each other. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is made from Sangiovese near the town of that name, while Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is made from the actual Montepulciano grape, grown mainly in the Abruzzo region.
From there, Joanne walks through why Montepulciano has never reached the household-name status of grapes like Sangiovese or Nebbiolo, despite being planted on roughly 30,000 hectares across Italy. She covers its character (deep color, medium acidity, high tannin, black plum and black cherry fruit), its late-budding and late-ripening nature, and the growing regions where it thrives, with a particular focus on Abruzzo. You'll also hear about the dramatic landscape of Abruzzo, from the Apennine Mountains and Corno Grande's glacier to the Adriatic coastline, and why that geography shapes the wine.
Joanne also introduces Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo, a deeply colored rosé style not covered in the WSET curriculum but well worth knowing, and highlights two producers, Tiberio and Emidio Pepe, who are proving Montepulciano can be far more serious than its commercial reputation suggests.
Joanne also shares details on upcoming Wine Educate trips for the spring and summer, along with a live Zoom session where she will answer questions about traveling with her. You can see all the trip details at https://www.wineeducate.com/trips
What You'll Learn in This Episode
Clearing Up the Name Confusion
- Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: a Sangiovese-based wine from the town of Montepulciano in Tuscany, where the grape is locally called Prugnolo Gentile
- Montepulciano d'Abruzzo: a wine made from the Montepulciano grape, grown in Abruzzo
- No clear historical link found between the town name and the grape name
Why Montepulciano Isn't a Household Name
- Roughly 30,000 hectares planted in Italy, compared to 6,000 to 7,000 hectares of Nebbiolo
- Considered a workhorse grape rather than a noble grape
- Valued for high yields, deep color, and approachable wines that don't require years of aging
- Often used to add color and body in blends
Grape Characteristics (WSET Level 2)
- Deeply colored
- Medium acidity
- High tannins
- Black fruit flavors, especially black plum and black cherry
- Best known for producing Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
- Mostly simple, fruity, inexpensive wines, though some are aged briefly in oak
Growing Conditions and Key Regions
- Late budding, which helps avoid spring frost
- Late ripening, which requires a long, warm growing season
- Concentrated mainly in central Italy and parts of the south
- Key regions: Abruzzo, Marche, Molise, Puglia, Umbria, and Lazio
- Limited plantings outside Italy, including some in California
A Closer Look at Abruzzo
- Located on the Adriatic side of Italy, at the "calf" of the boot, bordered by the Apennine Mountains
- Home to Corno Grande, the highest peak in the Apennines at just under 10,000 feet, and the southernmost glacier in Europe
- Cooling influence from both the mountains and the Adriatic Sea
- Known as the Green Region of Europe, with three national parks covering about 270,000 hectares
- Strong food culture built around sheep farming, cheese, and lamb
- About 90 minutes from Rome by car via the A24, despite feeling like a completely different world
Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo
- A deeply colored rosé made from Montepulciano, more intense than a pale Provence-style rosé
- Named for its cherry-like color
- Versatile with food and easy drinking on its own
Producers Worth Knowing
- Tiberio, led by Cristiana Tiberio, whose single-vineyard Colle Volta shows Montepulciano's potential for seriousness and ageability
- Emidio Pepe, founded in 1964, a longtime champion of indigenous grapes, traditional training, and organic farming in Abruzzo
Episode Highlights and Quotes
"It is not considered, as we call them, noble grapes. Montepulciano is more of a workhorse grape."
"You get the cool air coming down from the mountains, as well as the cool breeze coming in from the moderating influence of the sea."
"Maybe in 20 years from now when I ask someone to name me some grapes from Italy, Montepulciano will be the first one they say."
Quick Reference: Montepulciano at a Glance
Color: Deeply colored Acidity: Medium Tannin: High Flavor profile: Black plum, black cherry Key wine: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Rosé style: Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Key regions: Abruzzo, Marche, Molise, Puglia, Umbria, Lazio Hectares planted in Italy: Approximately 30,000 Ripening pattern: Late budding, late ripening
Resources Mentioned
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Tiberio winery, Colle Volta Emidio Pepe winery Corno Grande and the Apennine Mountains Level 2 Mock Exam Bundle: practice exams with detailed answer explanations to help you prepare for your WSET Level 2 exam. https://joanne-close.mykajabi.com/offers/xeXeiyop/checkout Wine Educate Trips: details on upcoming spring and summer trips, plus an upcoming Zoom Q&A session. https://www.wineeducate.com/trips
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About Wine Educate
Wine Educate is a WSET Approved Programme Provider offering internationally recognized wine certification courses. Through the podcast, Joanne Close makes wine education accessible to everyone, breaking down complex topics into practical, easy-to-understand lessons. Whether you are studying for your WSET certification or simply want to learn more about wine, you will find the guidance and knowledge you need to enjoy wine with confidence.
Episode 129 of the Wine Educate Podcast | Hosted by Joanne Close | © 2025 Wine Educate
