La Quercia Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

La Quercia Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is a 100% Montepulciano red wine from Abruzzo, Italy, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2022 vintage earned 91 points from James Suckling and 90 points from Wine Enthusiast, placing it among the most recognized values in the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo denomination.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Abruzzo, Italy  |  Varietal: 100% Montepulciano  |  Winery: La Quercia

Production & Heritage

La Quercia was founded in 2000 by Antonio Lamona and partners, though the vineyards themselves trace back to old-vine plantings farmed since the late 1960s using non-certified organic practices. The vines are trained in the traditional "tendone" (tent) system native to the region and pruned aggressively to yield roughly two-thirds of a bottle per plant — exceptionally low for this appellation. Grapes are fermented entirely in stainless steel, where the wine rests for six months before bottling, preserving bright fruit character and varietal purity without oak influence.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with mulberries and sour cherries before shifting into darker, earthier territory — topsoil, fennel, and warm spice notes of cardamom and clove. A subtle root beer undertone adds complexity.

Taste: The entry is juicy and fruit-forward, with ripe dark plum and black cherry dominating the early palate. At mid-palate, licorice candy and blackberry emerge alongside light baking spice. Tannins are medium-firm and acid is assertive, creating a tense, lively mouthfeel that keeps the medium body feeling energetic rather than soft.

Finish: The finish is moderately long, with lingering sour cherry, a faint wisp of smoke, and a savory earthiness. Tannins tighten slightly on the close, leaving a clean, dry impression.

How to Drink La Quercia Montepulciano

This wine drinks well at a light cellar chill — around 60–64°F — which keeps the fruit vibrant and the tannins in check. A short decant of 20–30 minutes can open up the spice aromatics further. For cocktail-adjacent uses, it works beautifully in a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice) for a casual warm-weather drink, a classic Sangria where the dark fruit and spice contribute body without requiring expensive juice, and a Red Wine Spritzer with sparkling water and a citrus twist for a lighter aperitivo.

Best For

• Weeknight Italian dinners where you want a serious wine at an everyday price
• Introducing someone to central Italian reds beyond Chianti
• Pairing with a charcuterie and aged cheese spread
• Stocking a house red that over-delivers on complexity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does La Quercia Montepulciano taste like? It leads with juicy dark cherry, blackberry, and ripe plum, layered with licorice, warm baking spice, and an earthy topsoil note. Medium-firm tannins and bright acidity give it a lively, food-friendly structure.

How does La Quercia compare to Podere Castorani Cadetto Montepulciano d'Abruzzo? Both are well-regarded Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wines at a similar value tier, but La Quercia leans more toward bright, stainless-steel-fermented fruit purity and earthy spice. Castorani's Cadetto tends to present a slightly softer, rounder profile, making the two complementary rather than identical.

Is La Quercia Montepulciano good for beginners? Yes — its juicy fruit core and moderate tannins make it approachable, while the earthy complexity gives more experienced drinkers something to explore. The stainless steel production keeps flavors clean and easy to identify.

Where is La Quercia Montepulciano made? La Quercia is produced in the Abruzzo region of central-eastern Italy, with vineyards situated among the rolling hills near the city of Pescara along the Adriatic coast.

What foods pair well with La Quercia Montepulciano? Lamb ragu over pappardelle mirrors the wine's earthy, savory depth. Grilled Italian sausages complement its spice and firm tannins. Eggplant Parmigiana matches the juicy acidity cut for cut. Aged pecorino cheese echoes the wine's savory, slightly salty finish. Wood-fired pizza margherita is a classic regional pairing that lets the fruit shine.

What sizes does La Quercia Montepulciano come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is La Quercia Montepulciano worth the price? La Quercia positions firmly in the value tier of Italian reds, yet its 91-point James Suckling score and old-vine, low-yield sourcing give it a quality profile that punches well above its price class.

Why La Quercia Montepulciano?

What separates this bottling from the crowded field of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is the old-vine sourcing and unusually low yields — roughly two-thirds of a bottle per plant — which concentrate flavor in a way that most wines at this price point simply cannot match. Antonio Lamona's decades-long commitment to non-certified organic farming adds another layer of integrity to the vineyard work. Dual recognition from James Suckling (91 points) and Wine Enthusiast (90 points) on the 2022 vintage confirms that the quality is not anecdotal. For anyone building a cellar of reliable Italian reds or searching for a weeknight bottle that doesn't compromise on character, this is a benchmark Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.