Idi Di Marzo Vulgaris Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC 2022

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo offers a unique combination of rustic earthiness with surprising elegance, setting it apart from Tuscany's more refined Sangiovese or Piedmont's structured Nebbiolo. The grape thrives in Abruzzo's mountainous terrain, producing wines with distinctive meaty, smoky characteristics alongside bright acidity. This particular expression showcases the variety's ability to balance power with finesse, making it an excellent introduction for those familiar with Cabernet or Merlot blends.

Serve this medium-bodied red at cellar temperature (16-18°C) to highlight its complex cherry and plum flavours alongside those intriguing tobacco notes. The wine's earthy, meaty character makes it perfect for grilled lamb, aged cheeses, or hearty pasta dishes with rich tomato-based sauces. Its rustic backbone can handle bold flavours like rosemary, garlic, and aged balsamic, while the bright acidity cuts through fatty meats beautifully.

Luca Maroni is one of Italy's most respected wine critics, known for his rigorous technical analysis focusing on wine purity and absence of defects. His 97-point score indicates this Montepulciano d'Abruzzo demonstrates exceptional quality with perfect balance and no technical flaws. Maroni's scoring system particularly values wines that express their terroir authentically, suggesting this bottle truly captures the essence of Abruzzo's unique winemaking character.

This wine offers remarkable versatility with its 'wide open drinking window' - you can enjoy it immediately or cellar it for several years. The bright acidity and structured tannins provide excellent aging potential, allowing the earthy, smoky characteristics to integrate further while developing additional complexity. Young Montepulciano d'Abruzzo often benefits from 3-5 years of cellaring, during which the rustic edges soften and secondary flavours emerge.

Certified sustainable viticulture means Idi Di Marzo follows environmentally responsible practices that protect soil health, conserve water, and minimise chemical inputs while maintaining vineyard productivity. This approach often results in more expressive wines that better reflect their terroir, as healthy soils and balanced ecosystems produce grapes with greater complexity. The certification also indicates the winery's commitment to preserving Abruzzo's natural environment for future generations of winemakers.