Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2020 DOC - Emidio Pepe

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2020 – Emidio Pepe

Emidio Pepe is one of the names that shaped the history of Abruzzo wine. At Torano Nuovo, in the Teramo hills between the Gran Sasso and the Adriatic, it was he who in 1964 stopped selling in bulk and began bottling his own Montepulciano. He passed away in July 2026 aged 94, leaving the estate to his daughters and his granddaughter Chiara, the winemaker.

The method has remained artisanal: organic and biodynamic farming, hand harvesting, spontaneous fermentation in small concrete tanks, no oak at all. The wine is bottled unfiltered and evolves slowly in the bottle; it may throw a natural deposit and benefits from decanting.

2020 was a balanced vintage that yielded a Montepulciano with clear-cut fruit and good freshness: sour cherry, plum, violet, spice and earthy hints, with young, lively tannins. Still in its early youth, it should be opened well in advance or forgotten in the cellar for a few years. With lasagne, roast lamb, cured meats and medium-aged cheeses.

At a glance: Montepulciano 100% · 14% ABV · 0.75 l · Emidio Pepe, Torano Nuovo (TE)