Pecorino is a hard Italian cheese made from sheep’s milk. Pecorino that is procuded in Sardinia and Sicily has also been found to have anti-aging properties when eaten.

But there is a little-known form of Pecorino, which may be considered even healthier and deserves some hyping — meet pecorino, the grape. The grape Pecorino is grown across four districts in central Italy.
2006 Collefrisio Pecorino, produced in Terre di Chieti (an area in the Italian county of Abruzzo), £7.50. Medium bodied, which turns a little heavy on the tongue the next day. Luscious and thick, with a long, dry finish. Perfect with seafood and pasta. Love the bright acidity. Different and delicious, look for hints of melon and a touch of Trappist ale-like nuances: 8.8 points.

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InterWined enjoyed an outstanding Montepulciano de Abruzzo called Inferi (2004) with some steak and chips last night. The wine can be bought at Oddbins, but don’t know the price, as it was a gift. Therefore, it shouldn’t be rated.

However, the intense red cherry aroma wrapped with a sprinkle of cinnamon and vanilla balanced the pepper and olive oil on the fried sirloin incredibly.

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At any rate, the conversation turned my thoughts to the great Montepulciano d’Abruzzos going down the hatch round here: should have plenty of time to think until police find the body.

Such impressive wines, especially the 2004 Incanto. Montepulciano is an area in Tuscany that makes Sangiovese-based wines. Montepulciano is also the name of a grape grown in Abruzzo, a region in east-central Italy.

The Incanto, somewhat pricey at £10 is beautiful, with folds of chocolate and wild berries. Nice dry, old oak flavour with hints of vanilla and smoke. Really classic: 8.8.

Found a bottle of 1999 Santa Costanza (like the character in Seinfeld) Novello from Banfi – from Tuscany. Turns out it is a blend of Sangiovese and Gamay – the same grape used in Beaujolais Nouveau, that least ‘ageable’ of wines. The Sangiovese saved the wine…Aroma was grapey, the wine was grapey. But mineral notes helped make the wine unique. Really fun, the Novello. And a big surprise: 8.4.

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Came across an interesting one: called Monastrell IX. No brand. Just a Spanish grape, Monastrell (Mourvèdre in France, Mataro in New World) with one selling point: it’s 15 percent alcohol by volume. To sell based solely on the fuzzy factor, seems just plain wrong. And it’s not cheap, £5 at the Co-Op. Certainly it would be awful, but some fool has to blog it, doesn’t he?

Telling you; that wine was so bad, it took forever to finish – every last drop.

Also had two great Montepulciano d’Abruzzos. Thinking about doing a few reviews on these wines: Who likes Italian?

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Just let me finish that last sip of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo from Moncaro, £8 from the pizzeria down the street. Mmm, OK. Bit light, but perfect with the pepperoni pizza from last night. The dough was a bit too salty though, but the Italians who made it know more than Dominoes…8.4 points

The 2003 Tukulu Pinotage, the South African hybrid grape…cost about £7 at Oddbins. The wine is neat because is smells of banana, as well as the typical ripe vine fruits of a typical red wine. However, the taste is smokey and oaky. It’s really nice for the price. It is a fascinating wine, the body is weak but the structure is strong, just like the Superdome: 8.7 points.

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The party wine was a 2003 Premiere Bordeaux Chateau Haut Rian: a bit thin, not notable. Light airy, aloof, like many at a party. Little oak, less earth; slight aroma of berries, mainly black, and that is about it: 8.2 points. Perfect for a party. Easy drinking, inexpensive red. Didn’t complain of course, yet the host said ‘this one’s for you.’

A bottling from Austria; forgot the vintage. Made mainly from a grape called St. Laurent. Also Merlot, Zwigelt. Cool climes for cool times. Seemed a bit bland at first. Let it breathe. The strong tartness gave way to sublime bitterness. Dig the dark chocolate. The wine found its soul when finally set free. Almost desperate to impress; excellent: 8.9.

Drank a bottle of Montepulciano di Abruzzo from Marks and Spencer, £8. Italian wine is a minefield. Montepulciano, for example, was the grape used in the wine from Abruzzo. However, Montepulciano is also a town in Tuscany, which makes Vino Nobile, made from Sangiovese. Huh? What’s that? Make sense. Please.

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