Med Bag of Chips

Ham, cheddar cheese, fresh tomatoes, and arugula.

Ham and Cheese Sandwich

Sliced turkey, lettuce, tomato, and mustard in a whole wheat wrap.

Fit Turkey Wrap

This Montepulciano is appreciated for its soft flavors and strong color pigments. Gentle tannins and a low acidity create a medium bodied wine.

Chill the bottle to the recommended serving temperature of about 16°C (60–62°F). If the wine is stored at cellar temperature (around 13–15°C), remove it 15–20 minutes before serving to allow it to warm slightly; if stored cooler, place it in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes.

Inspect the bottle for cork condition and sediment. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is medium-bodied with gentle tannins; some older bottles may have light sediment. If you detect sediment or the bottle is older than 5–7 years, consider decanting.

If decanting, pour the wine slowly into a wide decanter to aerate and separate any sediment. Let it breathe for 20–40 minutes to open aromas and soften tannins. For younger bottles (1–3 years), 15–20 minutes of breathing is usually sufficient; for 4–7 years, aim for 30–40 minutes.

Decanting (optional)

Select large, tulip-shaped red wine glasses (Burgundy-style) to concentrate the wine's aromas while allowing the medium body to spread across the palate. Ensure glasses are clean and free of odors.

Arrange accompaniments on a board: slice the cheese to bite-size pieces, fold or fan the cured meats, and slice the bread into 1 cm thick pieces. These foods complement the wine's soft flavors, moderate tannins, and color intensity.

Bring cheese to room temperature (20–30 minutes out of refrigeration) before serving to maximize flavor. Serve meats and bread at room temperature.

Pouring: Fill each glass about one-third full (approximately 120–150 ml per pour) to leave room for swirling and aromatics. For a 750 ml bottle, you will get roughly 4–5 standard pours.

Tasting: Encourage guests to observe the wine's deep color, swirl gently to release aromas, sniff to identify fruity, spicy, or earthy notes, then take a small sip to evaluate body, tannin, acidity, and finish. The wine's low acidity and gentle tannins make it friendly with a variety of foods.

Storage of opened bottle: If any wine remains after serving, re-cork and store upright in a cool place or refrigerated. Consume within 2–4 days for best quality; the wine's medium body and pigments will begin to fade after several days.

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (bottle)

Serving temperature

Large red wine glass (Burgundy-style)

Decanter (optional)

Room-temperature aged hard cheese (Pecorino or Parmigiano), sliced

Cured meats (sliced salami, prosciutto)

Crusty bread or crostini

Orizzonti Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Make Orizzonti Montepulciano D'Abruzzo Recipe in just 45m. This Montepulciano is appreciated for its soft flavors and strong color pigments. Gentle tannins and a low acidity create a medium bodied wine.

Orizzonti Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Descriptors

Tasting Notes

Food Pairings

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