Juicy sour cherry, soft tannins and lip-smacking acidity combine to give an unusually fine example of Montepulciano. The quality of the fruit takes this casual dining classic to a new level.
Beautifully violet coloured with aromas of black cherry and plum. The palate is full flavoured with damson and blackcurrant fruit, hints of white pepper, all balanced by fresh acidity and youthful tannins.
Rocco Pasetti's superbly sited, 50 hectare, estate lies in the heart of the Collecorvino district in the hills northwest of Pescara, recognised as one of the best vineyard zones in Abruzzo.Surrounding the winery, the south-facing slopes of clay-chalk soils, at around 250m altitude, are ideal for the cultivation of Montepulciano, with Pecorino grown on the lower slopes. The cellar was completed in 2004 - carved into the hillside. Rocco's son, Franco Pasetti, is also a winemaker and now works alongside him at the estate.The Contesa wines are impeccably-made expressions of Abruzzo's local grapes - modern and easy to drink, yet wines of real substance. Contesa is certified by VIVA, a Sustainability programme promoted by the Italian Ministry of Environment. This uses four key indicators - Air, Water, Vineyard and Territory - to assess environmental and social impact based on life cycle assessment standards and ISO-compliant methodologies (eg. ISO 14067 for carbon footprint). This has been in place at Contesa since 2025 (prior to that Contesa was certified Sustainable according to SQNPI). The winery is also in conversion to Organic - with all wines certified Organic from the 2025 vintage.
The Montepulciano grapes are grown in the 9 hectare Colle Caparrone vineyard, southeast facing and at 200m altitude. The grapes are harvested at the start of October.
Fermented in stainless steel at a controlled temperature of 26-28ºC for 2-3 weeks, with up to a week's maceration on the skins.
A proven match for quality pork and leek sausages, onion gravy and mash.
