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This is the best Montepulciano
We tried 17 varieties of this Italian red. This was the best on the market...
Montepulciano is a widely grown red grape variety produced largely in the Abruzzo region of central eastern Italy. It is not to be confused with the Italian town of Montepulciano, and the famous vino nobile di montepulciano produced there (which is in fact made from a different grape variety, Sangiovese).
Probably the most famous production of this grape variety, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is typically a deep coloured red wine, packed with juicy red and black fruit flavours, soft smooth tannins and low acidity.
It makes a wonderful crowd-pleasing style of wine and a great accompaniment to food, particularly full flavoured red meat and vegetarian dishes.
Farinelli Rosso NV
Score: 85/100
Bright red in colour with a red cherry, raspberry and slightly earthy aroma. Tangy red berry and cherry fruit flavours with just a hint of vanilla richness. Juicy with a touch of tannic structure. Beautifully balanced, a perfectly autumnal tipple.
Price: £6.99
Available from: laithwaites.co.uk
Mondelli Montepulciano D’Abruzzo
Score: 83/100
Garnet in colour with a warming, chocolate and cherry aroma and sweet spice notes. Bright, tangy red fruit flavours and a delicate nutmeg spice - black forest gateau in a glass. Smooth, soft and drinkable.
Price: £5.50
Available from: sainsburys.co.uk
Farnese Montepulciano 2016
Score: 83/100
Deep ruby in colour with an earthy aroma and hints of dark chocolate, sweet spice and black cherries. The palate is packed with blackcurrant, cranberry and black plum. Beautiful balance with just a hint of warmth and a smooth finish.
Price: £9.99
Available from: laithwaites.co.uk
Co-op Irresistible Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2016
Score: 81/100
Deep ruby in colour with a rich spiced aroma with plenty of black fruit and vanilla oak. Concentrated blackberry and red berry fruit with a vanilla note and delicate warming sweet spices on the palate. This juicy wine is super smooth, lightly warming and very easy to drink.
Price: £7.00
Available from: coop.co.uk
Ammazza Montepulciano 2016
Score: 79/100
Deep ruby in colour, this fruit driven wine is packed with red berry notes with a smooth tangy finish. Juicy and velvety.
Price: £9.99
Available from: majestic.co.uk
The Best Montepulciano
Score: 79/100
A refreshing black cherry and plum aroma with flavours of tangy, ripe redcurrant and cinnamon flavour. A hint of alcoholic warmth but smooth and easy drinking without being heavy.
Price: £6.00
Available from: groceries.morrisons.com
Moramari Montepulciano D'Abruzzo
Score: 77/100
Delicate sweet spices and black cherry aromas fill the palate with hints of redcurrant. Well balanced and drinkable with ripe black berry flavours and a hint of bitter chocolate.
Price: £77.00
Available from: waitrosecellar.com
Il Faggio Montepulciano d`Abruzzo 2016
Score: 77/100
A lovely plummy, bright raspberry and strawberry aroma. Light, tangy red and black berry fruit flavours with a softness and easy drinking finish.
Price: £9.94
Available from: slurp.co.uk
Tesco Finest Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Score: 77/100
A deep ruby and garnet colour with super fruity aromas. Packed with raspberry and red cherry fruit flavours, this wine is smooth, balanced, tangy and easy drinking
Price: £7.00
Available from: tesco.com
Lidl Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Score: 77/100
Deep warming berry aroma with autumnal earthy notes and a hint of festive spice. The wine is soft and fruity with light black berry fruit flavours and a pleasant warming finish.
Price: £3.99
Available from: lidl.co.uk
The Society’s Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2016
Score: 76/100
Bright cherry red in colour with tangy red fruit aromas and a yeasty note. The palate is packed with red fruit flavours including strawberry, raspberry and cranberry with a slightly alcoholic warmth. Drinkable and smooth. Great for pizza.
Price: £7.25
Available from: thewinesociety.com
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Vigna Corvino 2017
Score: 74/100
A dark, ruby red appearance and just a hint of warming alochol on the nose. Delicate, smooth blackberry and plum notes in addition to a chocolatey aroma. Tangy and heavy on the red fruit flavours with a hint of vanilla. Some warmth and a touch of drying tannin on the finish.
Price: £7.95
Available from: thewinesociety.com
Marks & Spencer Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2016
Score: 73/100
Light ruby red in colour with soft red berry aromas and an earthiness. Blackcurrant and summer fruit flavours on the palate with mushroomy notes and quite a short finish.
Price: £7.00
Available from: marksandspencer.com
Villa Vincini Montepulciano D’Abruzzo
Score: 72/100
Medium to pale ruby red colour with a delicate cherry filled aroma and a slight alcohol warmth. Cherry and red berry fruit flavours with a chocolatey edge. Tangy on the finish yet smooth and inoffensive.
Price: £4.78
Available from: groceries.asda.com
Dea del Mare Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2016
Score: 71/100
Pale ruby red in appearance with a funky, farmy aroma with red cherry and plum notes. The palate is packed with tangy summer fruit flavours. It has a thin, bitter edge but is relatively easy drinking.
Price: £7.95
Available from: jeroboams.co.uk
Food and wine enthusiast Alex joined the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2015 following seven years in the wine trade. In addition to her passion for oenology and Diploma in Wine & Spirits, she is a dedicated home cook and baker with skills learnt whilst working alongside the likes of Michel Roux Jr and Antonio Carluccio.
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