What is Montepulciano?

A) The name of the town
B) The name of the wine
C) The name of the grape
D) All of the above
E) A and B

______________________

Answer: D

This troublesome word had me confused for the longest time. So, here's the best way I can explain it...

THE TOWN
Located in Tuscany in the province of Sienna. There is a wine from this area, BUT it's NOT made from the grape Montepulciano.

THE WINE
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a wine from the area in Tuscany and is made mostly from Sangiovese. It is also blended with Canaiolo Nero and Mammolo and aged in oak barrels for 2 or 3 years (depends on if it is a riserva). When I see the word "Nobile," I think “not of." It's not what the word means, but that's the device I use to remind myself. However, it can also be labeled as Rosso di Montepulciano.

THE GRAPE
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is wine made from the Montepulciano grape from the region of Abruzzo (central Italy). It can have some Sangiovese blended in with it. It is light, dry and fruity wine that is typically drunk young.

Now if I could only be consistent in pronunciation!! (mawn-the-pool-CHA-noh).