Tasted a new wine last weekend: Montepulciano, a hearty red wine.
Montepulciano is the 2nd most planted red grape in Italy (after Sangiovese) and has had a reputation for low-priced juicy “pizza-friendly” red wines. Fortunately, there are several producers in Abruzzo that have shown the amazing potential of this grape by producing inky, black-fruit driven, chocolatey wines best enjoyed after 4 or more years of aging.
Medium-bodied red wines like Montepulciano generally pair with a wide variety of foods due to natural elevated acidity. However, with Montepulciano, the robust herbal and tobacco-like flavors with grippy tannin often call for richer and more savory foods. Montepulciano will cut through some of the meatiest meats (like beef brisket) and pair nicely alongside rich, roasted winter vegetables. If you learn only one tip about pairing with Montepulciano, it is to match it with something with substance (fat).
Examples
Meat:
Roasted Pork Shoulder, Beef Burgers with Mushrooms, Beef Bolognese, Barbecued Beef Brisket, Beef Tacos, Filipino Beef Adobo, Braised Goat, Shepard’s Pie, Meatloaf, Meat Lover’s Pizza
Cheese:
Baked Macaroni and Cheese, Aged Cheddar, Parmesan, Asiago, Pepper Jack
Herb/Spice:
Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary, Sage, Coriander, Black Pepper, Cumin, Caraway, Chipotle, Cocoa, Coffee, Balsamic
Vegetable: Stuffed Baked Potato, Southern-style Collard Greens, Black Bean Burgers, Roasted Mushrooms, Pinto Beans, Wild Rice, Winter Beets, Winter Farro, Sunchokes
http://winefolly.com/review/montepulciano-wine-guide/The wine I tasted was 90% Montepulciano and 10% Ruby Cabernet, all grapes were grown in the Texas High Plains AVA, near Lubbock. I like wines with some acidity, and this one fit the bill.
I now have a red and a white to drink with my black bean burgers, which you can find at Costco:
White - Riesling
Red - Montepulciano
