There have been some misunderstandings about Montepulciano in the past. Many people used this name as a synonym for Sangiovese, the great Tuscan grape variety, which the top Tuscan region of the same name, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, certainly invited. However, it has now been clarified that Montepulcano has no relation to Sangiovese and probably comes from Abruzzo. For a long time, this variety stood for more or less inconsequential and simple wines, which were mostly drunk on site. The constant improvement in wine quality in Italy in general and the spirit of optimism that still exists has not stopped at Abruzzo, so that today you can still get inexpensive but good red wines from Montepulciano. The variety ripens late after a long ripening period, is vigorous and tends to produce high yields, which must be limited and controlled for quality wines. Its resistance to rot and powdery mildew is an advantage. Around 30,000 hectares are in production in Italy, spread across the regions of Abruzzo, Umbria, Tuscany and the Marche with the now very well-known Rosso Conero, as well as Puglia further south. Outside Italy there are a few hectares in California.
This grape variety is also known by the name of:
Bordelais, Cordisco, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
