Italian wine nomenclature can be stupidly compacted. The montepulciano grape grown in the Abruzzi region has nothing to do with Tuscany's Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which is made from sangiovese. Regardless, the 2012 Quattro Mani Montepulciano d'Abruzzo ($14) is a great wine and a swell value, with ripe red-berry fruit, lovely acidity and a soft but grippy mouthfeel. The finish is smooth and balanced, especially refreshing for a red. This is a great weeknight wine that plays well with burgers, pizza, roast chicken and pasta with tomato sauces.
Available at McKnight, Princeton's, Nowak's, Zipp's, Solo Vino and MGM Vadnais Heights.
BILL WARD
