A new pick for one of our favorite categories of wine, $8 Italian Reds. The Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.
100% Montepulciano from nine specific estate vineyards in Abruzzo, Italy. The wine is aged in stainless steel and has 4.5 g/L of residual sugar.
Sample submitted for review. The Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo has an SRP of $14 and is available for as low as $8. Imported by Vintus LLC. 500,000 bottles produced.
Masciarelli is such an extraordinary story because, as few producers have managed to do, they have succeeded at the very top in creating Villa Gemma one of Italy’s icon wines, while also creating something special for the everyday consumer, a wine so much better than it needs to be, an ambassador for the region. This wine for so many people is their introduction to the Montepulciano grape and the Abruzzo region, and the quality and care shown in producing this 100% estate, all hand-harvested wine is reflected in the refinement, soft acidity, ripe and moderate tannins, and bright red berry and cherry notes with a distinct, spicy character.
13.5% Alcohol
We love pretty much all Italian wine here at Reverse Wine Snob, but we’ve got a special place in our heart for a good cheap bottle of vino from Italy. The kind of bottle you can reliably and inexpensively pair with takeout pizza. And that is exactly what we have today.
The 2017 Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo opens with lots of ripe red fruit and spice plus a little leather on the attractive nose. Taking a sip reveals lots of sour black cherry flavors and soft tannins in this easy to drink and uncomplicated (but still quite flavorful and satisfying) wine. It ends with a dry, long, savory, slightly chewy finish. This is a great way to spend $8, especially if you’re pairing it with a pizza.
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