Masciarelli Villa Gemma Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva

The Abruzzo region lies in southern central Italy and stretches from the heart of the Apennines to the Adriatic Sea, through a wild and rugged mountainous territory. As the European region with the most land protected by environmental protection laws (30%), it has become known as “the region of parks”. Rich in unique architecture, art and landscapes, Abruzzo is mostly famous for its Montepulciano d'Abruzzo red wine. And Masciarelli is one winery that has managed to raise the level of production here, enhancing the area’s native vines and strengthening modern viticulture in the region. A true ambassador for Abruzzo and Italian wine in general, it was set up in 1981 by Gianni Masciarelli with just two hectares, but now has 300 hectares and is the only producer in the region with vineyards in the four provinces (Chieti, Pescara, Teramo and Aquila). This allows the company to create a wide and varied range of wines, from the freshest to the most international to the most powerful. Their Masciarelli Villa Gemma Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva is the winery’s iconic wine, made as a tribute to the great Abruzzo grape.

Made from Montepulciano grapes harvested in the vineyards of San Martino and Santa Marrucina at an altitude of 400 metres above sea level, facing east and on limestone soils, Masciarelli Villa Gemma Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva is a red wine that, as its creator explains, is made in their two wineries, the one made of concrete and the one in heaven. And that is because the family winemaking process is vitally important if you want to create a healthy and high quality raw material using sustainable practices. In the winery, after the grapes have been carefully selected, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled steel tanks with maceration on the skins. The wine is then aged for 36 months, 24 of which are in French oak barrels. Finally, the aging process finishes with another 2 or 3 years in the bottle.

Recognised as one of Italy’s best reds, Masciarelli Villa Gemma Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva is a robust, full-bodied and structured wine. A label with a typically gastronomic role that honours the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, the region’s star grape, as it deserves.