La Valentina – Spelt Riserva – Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Overview: Founded in 1990, Fattoria La Valentina lies on the hills overlooking Spoltore, a village nestled near Pescara on the central Adriatic coast. Abruzzo is considered a prime winegrowing region due to its topography of 2/3 mountains and hills and 1/3 coastal terrain. The region, historically known for bulk wines, has recently introduced several artisanal producers, including La Valentina, that have released top quality wines from Abruzzo??s indigenous Montepulciano and Trebbiano varieties. Current owners, Sabatino, Roberto and Andrea Di Properzio, have owned La Valentina since 1994.

The Spelt Montepulciano d’Abruzzo represents a fuller-bodied version of this traditional wine compared with La Valentina’s Montepulciano d’Abruzzo in the Classica line. It is made with the first selection of Montepulciano grapes from the vineyards. In addition, all of the wine for Spelt is aged in wood, for a total of 18 months. The result is a more robust and complex wine. The name Spelt refers to a type of wheat (faro in Italian) that once grew where the La Valentina winery and village of Spoltore (whose name itself derives from spelt) are now located.

Tasting Notes: Rich aromas of bramble berry and dark cherry blend seamlessly with baking spice, tobacco and sage on the nose. The palate is smooth and supple in feel, boasting ripe dark-berry flavors and spice accents that show good lift and depth.

Pairing: Pizza Quattro Stagioni

Points:89, Wine Enthusiast

Format / ABV:750 ml/13.50%

In certain circumstances, a specific vintage may not be available. If this is the case, a comparable vintage of the same wine will be substituted for online orders. If shopping in store, please check the bottle for the appropriate vintage. If you have a question about a specific vintage that is in stock, please email [email protected]