Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a popular choice among locals and tourists in Rome due to its proximity and quality, but it is also available in the US through stellar producers. For instance, Cantina Zaccagnini, well-known for their Tralcetto line, has over 30% market share in the category. Through this lines, I am sharing my experience attending a wine tasting with Cantina Zaccagnini’s portfolio, including the launch of San Clemente and Chronicon wines which will be available in the US Market in early 2024.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
I have been acquainted with Montepulciano d’Abruzzo for some time. I have taken a couple of masterclasses about Montepulciano d’Abruzzo in the past. Moreover, I have tried over a dozen producers. As its name indicates, Montepulciano d’Abrruzo is produced in the town of Abruzzo with a wine grape called Montepulciano. These are grapes that produce a wine with fruit-forward style wines with juicy, crisp, and medium-bodied soft tannins. This red wine stands out for a delicious, velvety mouthfeel to pair with Abruzese food or Italian classics, and even by itself.
Therefore, it was an “aha” moment for me when I learned that the citizens of modern-day Rome preffer to enjoy the exquisite taste of Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo in their local bars and restaurants. Of course, they are very fortunate becausehese fine wines are produced, only a few hours’ away from Italy’s capital.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo’s delightful flavor and unique aromas were renowned among wine connoisseurs, and its proximity to Rome made it a popular choice among locals and tourists alike.
How to drink red wine like modern-day Romans
Unleash your inner Roman and enjoy a drink like they do in modern times – right here in the USA! Cantina Zaccagnini, a leading producer of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, has some of its wines produced in Abruzzo including Montepulciano d’Abruzzo already available in the US.
Their Tralcetto line might ring a bell since Rachel Ray has promoted it for quite a while, perhaps even unintentionally. She has always recommended Tralceto Montepulciano d’Abruzzo while cooking or pairing it with Italian classics since the applied stick on the bottleneck is an integral part of the brand.
This unique feature shows that the company cares about its product, is skilled at what they do, and has a connection to nature. The main objective was to make the “stick wine” bottle even more iconic while maintaining its genuine, honest, and down-to-earth approach to wines.
Cantina Zaccagnini launches San Clemente and Chronicon lines in New York City.
Cantina Zaccagnini, is a winery specializing in producing terroir-driven wines. Marcello Zaccagnini, the owner, inherited the winemaking tradition from his father and is dedicated to continuing the legacy. The estate offers a variety of traditional products native to the Abruzzo region, focusing on Trebbiano, Montepulciano and Moscato di Castiglione a Casauria grapes. Cantina Zaccagnini has become a symbol of the Abruzzo viticulture, emphasizing native varieties and their unique qualities.
Notwithstanding, even though they have had an incredible presence throughout the US, they have only been recently acquired by Group Argea (April 2023), strengthening their strategic position in Abruzzo’s wine-growing region and the US market.
Wine Tasting Lineup with Cantina Zaccagnini
I recently attended a tasting with both Argea leadership and virtually with their current winemaker, Ricardo Cotarella. First, we had a wine tasting along with a virtual chat with Cotarella, where he presented the following wines:
- Cantina Zaccagnini Spumante Blanc de Blanc NV
- Chronicon Abruzzo DOC Pecorino 2022
- San Clemente Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC 2022
- Chronicon Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC 2022
- Chronicon Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2020
- San Clemente – Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC, Terre di Casauria Riserva 2019
Second, we delighted ourselves with Abruzzese food ,and discussed the new launch of San Clemente and Chronicon lines. Both from the Zaccagnnani portfolio differ from their well-known Tralcetto line. To dig even further into the difference, it is essential to note that the San Clemente Line on their Trebbiano and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC are single vineyards wines’.
Despite having tasted various Montepulciano D’Abruzzo wines, my recent experience trying a single vineyard variety was unique. As I savored the wine, I couldn’t help but notice the unique and complex flavors in every sip. The continuous care fo San Clemente Vineyards allows its distinct characteristics to shine through. The producer’s dedication to showcasing this single vineyard was evident in every aspect of the wine, from its attention to detail to its expert craftsmanship. I truly appreciated the level of care and expertise that went into creating such a remarkable bottle.
