Pure, elegant, and endlessly food-friendly
Meet Italy’s Most Underrated Red Grape
While Tuscany gets attention for Sangiovese and Piedmont for Nebbiolo, smart wine lovers are discovering Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. La Valentina’s 2022 vintage shows exactly why this grape deserves profound respect—delivering complexity without pretension, elegance without excessive extraction.
The La Valentina Approach
This isn’t heavy, over-oaked Italian red. La Valentina’s style emphasizes purity and gastronomy—wines that enhance meals rather than dominate them. The 2022 vintage represents their “Linea Classica” philosophy: accessible wines with inherent complexity.
The magic formula? 80% ages in stainless steel (preserving fruit purity), while 20% spends time in Slavonian oak barrels and second-passage barriques (adding subtle complexity). The result is a remarkably balanced wine that speaks of place, not cellar manipulation.
What Your Palate Will Discover
Color: Deep ruby with purple highlights—immediately appealing
Aroma: The classic Montepulciano character shines through, featuring dark cherries, plums, and blackberries, complemented by Mediterranean herbs, earthy notes, and subtle spice. There’s freshness here that many Abruzzo reds lack.
Taste: Here’s where La Valentina’s gentle approach pays dividends. Soft, velvety mouthfeel carries elegant tannins that support rather than overwhelm. Dark fruit flavors mingle with herbs, earth, and that distinctive Italian character that makes you think of hillside vineyards and family dinners.
Structure: Gentle yet defined—this wine has backbone without aggression, complexity without heaviness
Food Pairing Paradise
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2022 excels at the table—exactly what you want from Italian wine:
- Pasta classics: Ragù Bolognese, amatriciana, or simple aglio e olio
- Grilled meats: Perfect with arrosticini (local lamb skewers), chicken, or pork
- Pizza night: The soft tannins complement tomato-based dishes beautifully
- Cheese boards: Aged Pecorino, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or local Abruzzo cheeses
- Comfort food: Think porchetta, brasato, or hearty stews
The Numbers That Matter
- Vineyards: Selected from 30 hectares across three districts
- Altitude: 150-400 meters (ideal for slow ripening)
- Vine age: 26-47 years old (concentration and complexity)
- Yield: 80 hectoliters per hectare (quality-focused)
- Production: 170,000 bottles annually
- Organically certified: ICEA certified since inception
Winemaking Philosophy
La Valentina’s approach emphasizes terroir over technology:
- Hand-harvesting from mid-September ensures optimal ripeness
- 10-day fermentation in stainless steel preserves fruit character
- 18-month aging split between steel and oak develops complexity gradually
- Gentle extraction creates wines with soft, approachable tannins
Why This Wine Works
In a world where many Italian reds try too hard—too much oak, too much extraction, too much alcohol—La Valentina’s Montepulciano succeeds through restraint. This is wine that improves meals rather than competing with them.
The 2022 vintage shows perfect balance: enough structure for aging, enough approachability for immediate enjoyment. It’s the kind of wine that makes everyday dinners feel special while being sophisticated enough for important occasions.
Perfect for Dutch wine lovers who appreciate elegance over power.
Availability
This wine represents exceptional value in the premium Italian red category. With consistent quality across 170,000 bottles annually, it’s perfect for restaurants, wine bars, and retail seeking reliable, food-friendly Italian reds.
Ready to discover why Montepulciano d’Abruzzo deserves a place on your table?
![From Hotel School to Dutch Winemaker: The Inspiring Joni Sloesen Story [Podcast]](https://vinovonk.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Schermafbeelding-2025-09-11-141016-400x250.jpg)
