Gran Sasso Colline Teramane Montepulciano Alta Quota

Experience a rich, smooth and luxurious mouthfeel like no other with this Colline Teramane Montepulciano. This is a stunning wine of an intense ruby red colour, with nuances of purple. The characteristic, intense, evolved nose ushers in a crisp, sturdy but well-orchestrated and velvety palate, with hints of ripe red berries, chocolate and spices.

• Winery: Fantini Group - Gran Sasso
  
• Varietal: Montepulciano
  
• Region: Abruzzo DOC, Italy
  
• Vintage: 2015
  
• Alcohol: 13.5%
  
• Volume: 750ml
  
• Closure: Cork
• Food pairing: Italian dishes such as tomato-based pastas, pizza, and spicy Italian pepperoni; roast pork, beef brisket, burgers, Shepherds Pie; Asiago, Parmesan & Cheddar cheeses.

The Gran Sasso wines are part of the Fantini Group, which was founded in 1994 by Valentino Sciotti with the aim of producing top-quality wine from Abruzzo. These wines are made by winemakers Rino Santeusanio and Francesco De Santis, with input from acclaimed consultant Alberto Antonini. Together, they create wines with a freshness and vivacity that sets them apart from many in this area. 

The team work closely with their growers to produce a deep-coloured, clean and plummy young Montepulciano, as well as their ‘Riserva’ style ‘Alta Quota’ Montepulciano d‘Abruzzo Colline Teramane DOCG, which hails from a zone in the northern part of Abruzzo renowned for the quality of its wine. For the Trebbiano, Gran Sasso source grapes grown in the cooler areas of the Apennine foothills, fermented at low temperatures. The Pecorino is apparently named after the resemblance that the bunch of grapes bears to a sheep’s head. A relatively rare variety, there are only 300 hectares planted in Abruzzo and Le Marche.

The Fantini Group was founded in 1994 by Valentino Sciotti with the aim of producing top-quality wine from Abruzzo. The enterprise was so successful that the group expanded further south in Italy and its islands. Today the Fantini Group includes Cantina Diomede, Gran Sasso, Vesevo, Vigneti del Salento, Vigneti del Vulture, Tufarello, Zabù and Cantina Atzei, among others. Acclaimed winemaker and consultant Alberto Antonini oversees production, ensuring these wines offer great quality, varietal character and value. Their elegant and striking packaging makes them stand out on the shelf or table.

Fantini is their flagship winery, producing wines from vineyards based in the northern part of Abruzzo, where ripeness and freshness combine in the wines. The forward and accessible Sangiovese is a case in point. All the wines made from Montepulciano have this variety's hallmark colour and intensity but with a balance and accessibility often lacking in wines from this region. The deeply coloured, intense and powerful ‘Edizione’ Cinque Autoctoni is, according to owner Valentino Sciotti, “a true taste of southern Italy”. Blending five indigenous grape varieties, Montepulciano, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Negroamaro and Malvasia Rossa, grown across Abruzzo and Puglia, it is full and powerful yet equally fresh and nicely defined.

• 93/100 Points - James Suckling (2016 vintage)
• Grand Gold - 2022 Frankfurt Wine Trophy (2016 vintage)
• Silver - 2022 London Wine Competition (2016 vintage)
• Silver - BIW Best Italian Wine (BIW) Selection (2016 vintage)
• 91/100 Points - Luca Maroni (2016 vintage)
• Silver - 2022 London Wine Competition (2015 vintage)
• Bronze - 2021 Decanter (2015 vintage)
• 4 Grappoli Bibenda (2015 vintage)
• 93/100 Points - Luca Maroni (2015 vintage)
• 89/100 Points -  Veronelli (2015 vintage)
• 93/100 Points - Gilbert & Gaillard (2014 vintage)