Wines you probably don't drink but should: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

I was looking at an inexpensive red wine last week and tried a bottle of $9.95 Montepulcano d’Aburzzo to have with some pizza.  It was outstanding.  Despite its deep red color it was smooth, flavorful, and not the least bit tannic.  Went perfect with the Pizza.  

A couple of days later Mrs. Wine Guy and I were out to dinner at an Italian restaurant with fairly high wine prices but I was able to find a $29 bottle of Montepulcano  d’Aburzzo ($29 at a restaurant equates to $8 to $12 retail).  Again it was very drinkable and went very nicely with all of our meals and we all enjoyed it. 

Aburzzo is a less well known area of Italy just north of Rome.  Usually when a wine is imported to the United States from a less well known area of Europe it is because that wine drinks better than it's price point.  Because of this buying wines from less well known areas is a good way to find great value wines. 

Like other European wines look for the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo designation on the label and worry less about the brand or producer.  If it has the d’Abruzzo designation on the label it means that it has to conform to certain production standards and grape varieties.  In the case of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo that wine has to have at least 85% Montepulciano and no more than 15% Sangiovese and must be aged a minimum of 5 months in wood barrels before being released.

I’m going to buy a few more bottles and make it my go to Pizza wine. 

If you try it let me know what you think.