Red grape
Montepulciano
A deeply colored central Italian red grape with plum and savory-herbal flavors, best known as the grape of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.
At a glance
- Deep color
- Black plum
- Savory herb
Recognize it
Deep color with ripe plum, dried herb and a savory edge. Tannin can range from rounded to firm, so use the dark fruit and savory profile together rather than one fixed structure level.
Similar grapes
Sangiovese
Similar savory Italian red with cherry or plum fruit.
Difference Sangiovese is usually higher in acidity with firmer, more drying tannin.
Barbera
Similar deep color and juicy fruit.
Difference Barbera is higher in acidity and lower in tannin.