Dragani Montepulciano D'Abruzzo 22

There's plenty of confusion connected to Montepulciano. The name represents a famous city in Tuscany, a grape grown all across central Italy, and a wine-producing region on Italy's Adriatic coast. The city of Montepulciano in Tuscany is noted for the production of world-famous dry reds, including Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Chianti, Rosso di Montepulciano, Brunello di Montalcino, and desert wines like Vin Santo di Montepulciano.

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is an entirely different entity and refers to both the grape's name and the region in Italy's central Adriatic Coast where the wine is produced. It's the only place in Italy where you'll find the grape's name and geographic region to be the same.

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is the ultimate Tuesday-Night-Wine from Italy. It checks all of the proper Tuesday-Night boxes -- it's super-versatile food-wise, entry-level bottles are a terrific value, and of course, it's super-tasty! I'm delighted to add yet another terrific insider best-buy to our growing selection of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.

Cantine Dragani is a family-owned estate in Abruzzo with a history in viticulture dating back to the early 1700s. They're members of one of the region's most significant production and export cooperatives, and they've played a major part in raising the quality and popularity of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo worldwide.

In your glass, the Dragani Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is smooth and uncomplicated; however, it's far from simple! There are lovely layers of spice and tobacco leaf, that wrap around the supple plummy fruit. Notes of dark cherry take over the mid-palate and finish with pleasingly dry, dusty tannins.

Of course, this bargain red will pair like a dream with pasta, pizza, and red sauce; however, it's a terrific all-purpose red that will also do nicely with grilled white meats, burgers, stews, and ragouts.