DOC · Abruzzo

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC (Abruzzo) at a glance: 17 recorded wine types, with the main requirements from the official production specification. Listed types include Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Alto Tirino. The technical sections cover grape yields, minimum ageing, market-release rules for the relevant wine types.

✓ Verified· November 2026

Production rules at a glance

Quick overview of the key requirements. Values and conditions can vary by wine type: consult the detailed rules and official source.

RegionAbruzzoProvinceChieti, L'Aquila, Pescara, Teramo
Wine typesMontepulciano d’Abruzzo, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Alto Tirino, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Alto Tirino Riserva, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Pescaresi Riserva, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Pescaresi Superiore, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo San Martino sulla Marrucina Riserva, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo San Martino sulla Marrucina Superiore, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Teate, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Teate Riserva, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre Aquilane o Terre de L’Aquila Riserva, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre Aquilane o Terre de L’Aquila Superiore, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre dei Peligni, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre dei Peligni Riserva, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre dei Vestini, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre dei Vestini Riserva, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre di Chieti Riserva, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre di Chieti Superiore
Grape varieties / compositionVaries by wine type: see the comparison below
Maximum grape yield15 t/haMaximum wine yield—
Minimum planting density2,400 vines/haMinimum alcoholic strength12% vol
Ageing—Minimum ageing in wood—
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ParameterMontepulciano d’AbruzzoMontepulciano d’Abruzzo Alto TirinoΔ vs A
ColourRedRed—
Grape varietiesMontepulciano min 85%Montepulciano min 95%—
Maximum grape yield15 t/ha9 t/ha-6 t/ha (-40%)
Maximum wine yield———
Minimum planting density2,400 vines/ha4,000 vines/ha+1,600 vines/ha (+66.7%)
Ageing—12 months—
Minimum ageing in wood———
Minimum alcoholic strength12% vol12.5% vol+0.5% vol (+4.2%)
Minimum total acidity4.5 g/l5 g/l+0.5 g/l (+11.1%)
Minimum sugar-free extract21 g/l25 g/l+4 g/l (+19%)
Release for consumption———
AMontepulciano d’AbruzzoBMontepulciano d’Abruzzo Alto Tirino
Colour
ARed
BRed
Δ vs A—
Grape varieties
AMontepulciano min 85%
BMontepulciano min 95%
Δ vs A—
Maximum grape yield
A15 t/ha
B9 t/ha
Δ vs A-6 t/ha (-40%)
Maximum wine yield
A—
B—
Δ vs A—
Minimum planting density
A2,400 vines/ha
B4,000 vines/ha
Δ vs A+1,600 vines/ha (+66.7%)
Ageing
A—
B12 months
Δ vs A—
Minimum ageing in wood
A—
B—
Δ vs A—
Minimum alcoholic strength
A12% vol
B12.5% vol
Δ vs A+0.5% vol (+4.2%)
Minimum total acidity
A4.5 g/l
B5 g/l
Δ vs A+0.5 g/l (+11.1%)
Minimum sugar-free extract
A21 g/l
B25 g/l
Δ vs A+4 g/l (+19%)
Release for consumption
A—
B—
Δ vs A—
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Common questions

How long must Montepulciano d'Abruzzo be aged?

For the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Alto Tirino wine type, the specification records at least 12 months of ageing. Other wine types may have different requirements; see the detailed rules below.

When can Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wine be released for sale?

The permitted release depends on the rules for the specific wine type and, where required, its vintage. Check the official specification and the calculator where applicable.

TECHNICAL DATA

Structured data by wine type

Product specification source · expandable detail

Data by wine type

Numeric values come from the shared structured database. Official names, geographical names and regulatory wording are kept in Italian where appropriate.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Grape compositionMontepulciano min 85%

Viticulture

RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
General15 t/ha2,400 vines/ha11.5%—

Winemaking

StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%—Pratiche enologiche conformi alla normativa; arricchimento consentito secondo disciplinare.

Ageing

TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
Release for consumption———

Characteristics at release

ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso con lievi sfumature violacee, tendente al granato con l’invecchiamento12% vol4.5 g/l21 g/l
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Alto Tirino
Grape compositionMontepulciano min 95%

Viticulture

RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
General9 t/ha4,000 vines/ha12%—

Winemaking

StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%—Arricchimento e concentrazione esclusi.

Ageing

TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
invecchiamento12 months——
Minimum total 12 months: 0 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 12 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.

Characteristics at release

ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso con lievi sfumature violacee, tendente al granato con l’invecchiamento12.5% vol5 g/l25 g/l
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Alto Tirino Riserva
Grape compositionMontepulciano min 95%

Viticulture

RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
General9 t/ha4,000 vines/ha12.5%—

Winemaking

StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%—Arricchimento e concentrazione esclusi.

Ageing

TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
invecchiamento30 months——
Minimum total 30 months: 0 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 30 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.

Characteristics at release

ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso con lievi sfumature violacee, tendente al granato con l’invecchiamento13% vol5 g/l28 g/l
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Pescaresi Riserva
Grape compositionMontepulciano min 90%

Viticulture

RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
General13.5 t/ha3,000 vines/ha12%—

Winemaking

StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%—Zona DOC Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Ageing

TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
invecchiamento24 months6 months—
Minimum total 24 months: 6 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 18 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.

Characteristics at release

ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso tendente al granato con l’invecchiamento13% vol4.5 g/l27 g/l
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Pescaresi Superiore
Grape compositionMontepulciano min 90%

Viticulture

RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
General13.5 t/ha3,000 vines/ha12%—

Winemaking

StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%—Zona DOC Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Ageing

TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
Ageing6 months——
Minimum total 6 months: 0 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 6 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.

Characteristics at release

ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso, tendente al granato con l’invecchiamento12.5% vol4.5 g/l25 g/l
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo San Martino sulla Marrucina Riserva
Grape compositionMontepulciano min 90%

Viticulture

RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
General12 t/ha4,000 vines/ha12%—

Winemaking

StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%—Zona DOC Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Ageing

TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
invecchiamento24 months12 months—
Minimum total 24 months: 12 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 12 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.

Characteristics at release

ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso tendente al granato con l’invecchiamento13% vol4.5 g/l28 g/l
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo San Martino sulla Marrucina Superiore
Grape compositionMontepulciano min 90%

Viticulture

RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
General12 t/ha4,000 vines/ha12%—

Winemaking

StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%—Zona DOC Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Ageing

TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
invecchiamento12 months6 months—
Minimum total 12 months: 6 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 6 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.

Characteristics at release

ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso con lievi sfumature violacee, tendente al granato con l’invecchiamento12.5% vol4.5 g/l26 g/l
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Teate
Grape compositionMontepulciano min 90%

Viticulture

RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
General12.5 t/ha3,000 vines/ha12%—

Winemaking

StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%—Zona sottozona Teate

Ageing

TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
invecchiamento21 months9 months—
Minimum total 21 months: 9 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 12 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.

Characteristics at release

ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso con lievi sfumature violacee, tendente al granato con l’invecchiamento12.5% vol4.5 g/l26 g/l
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Teate Riserva
Grape compositionMontepulciano min 90%

Viticulture

RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
General12.5 t/ha3,000 vines/ha12.5%—

Winemaking

StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%—Zona sottozona Teate

Ageing

TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
invecchiamento30 months9 months—
Minimum total 30 months: 9 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 21 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.

Characteristics at release

ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso con lievi sfumature violacee, tendente al granato con l’invecchiamento13% vol5 g/l28 g/l
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre Aquilane o Terre de L’Aquila Riserva
Grape compositionMontepulciano min 90%

Viticulture

RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
General13.5 t/ha3,000 vines/ha12%—

Winemaking

StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%—Zona DOC Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Ageing

TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
invecchiamento24 months6 months—
Minimum total 24 months: 6 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 18 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.

Characteristics at release

ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso tendente al granato con l’invecchiamento13% vol4.5 g/l27 g/l
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre Aquilane o Terre de L’Aquila Superiore
Grape compositionMontepulciano min 90%

Viticulture

RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
General13.5 t/ha3,000 vines/ha12%—

Winemaking

StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%—Zona DOC Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Ageing

TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
Ageing6 months——
Minimum total 6 months: 0 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 6 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.

Characteristics at release

ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso, tendente al granato con l’invecchiamento12.5% vol4.5 g/l25 g/l
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre dei Peligni
Grape compositionMontepulciano min 95%

Viticulture

RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
General10 t/ha3,000 vines/ha12%—

Winemaking

StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%—Zona sottozona Terre dei Peligni

Ageing

TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
invecchiamento24 months9 months—
Minimum total 24 months: 9 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 15 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.

Characteristics at release

ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso con lievi sfumature violacee, tendente al granato con l’invecchiamento12.5% vol4.5 g/l23 g/l
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre dei Peligni Riserva
Grape compositionMontepulciano min 95%

Viticulture

RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
General10 t/ha3,000 vines/ha12.5%—

Winemaking

StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%—Zona sottozona Terre dei Peligni

Ageing

TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
invecchiamento30 months9 months—
Minimum total 30 months: 9 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 21 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.

Characteristics at release

ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso con lievi sfumature violacee, tendente al granato con l’invecchiamento13% vol4.5 g/l26 g/l
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre dei Vestini
Grape compositionMontepulciano min 90%

Viticulture

RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
General10 t/ha3,000 vines/ha12%—

Winemaking

StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%—Sottozona Terre dei Vestini; deroghe storiche in provincia di Pescara

Ageing

TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
invecchiamento18 months9 months3 months in bottle
Minimum total 18 months: 12 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 6 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.

Characteristics at release

ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso con lievi sfumature violacee, tendente al granato con l’invecchiamento12.5% vol4.5 g/l23 g/l
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre dei Vestini Riserva
Grape compositionMontepulciano min 90%

Viticulture

RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
General10 t/ha3,000 vines/ha12%—

Winemaking

StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%—Sottozona Terre dei Vestini; deroghe storiche in provincia di Pescara

Ageing

TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
invecchiamento24 months9 months6 months in bottle
Minimum total 24 months: 15 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 9 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.

Characteristics at release

ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso con lievi sfumature violacee, tendente al granato con l’invecchiamento13% vol4.5 g/l23 g/l
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre di Chieti Riserva
Grape compositionMontepulciano min 90%

Viticulture

RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
General13.5 t/ha3,000 vines/ha12%—

Winemaking

StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%—Zona DOC Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Ageing

TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
invecchiamento24 months6 months—
Minimum total 24 months: 6 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 18 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.

Characteristics at release

ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso tendente al granato con l’invecchiamento13% vol4.5 g/l27 g/l
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Terre di Chieti Superiore
Grape compositionMontepulciano min 90%

Viticulture

RuleYieldPlanting densityNatural alcoholOfficial condition (IT)
General13.5 t/ha3,000 vines/ha12%—

Winemaking

StageGrape-to-wine yieldMaximum wine yieldOfficial rule / area (IT)
Finished wine70%—Zona DOC Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Ageing

TypeTotalWoodBottle / lees
Ageing6 months——
Minimum total 6 months: 0 months are assigned to a specific minimum stage; the remaining 6 months form part of the overall period without a specified minimum stage.

Characteristics at release

ColourMinimum alcoholic strengthMinimum total acidityMinimum sugar-free extract
rosso rubino intenso, tendente al granato con l’invecchiamento12.5% vol4.5 g/l25 g/l

Municipalities / permitted area

Zona di produzione Montepulciano d'AbruzzoOfficial Italian wording

Articolo 3 - Zona di produzione La zona di produzione della DOC del vino “Montepulciano d'Abruzzo” comprende l’intero territorio amministrativo dei seguenti comuni: 1) provincia di Chieti: Altino, Archi, Ari, Arielli, Atessa, Bomba, Bucchianico, Canosa Sannita, Carunchio, Casacanditella, Casalanguida, Casalincontrada, Carpineto Sinello, Casalbordino, Casoli, Castel Frentano, Celenza sul Trigno, Chieti, Civitella Messer Raimondo, Crecchio, Cupello, Dogliola, Fara Filiorum Petri, Fara San Martino, Filetto, Fossacesia, Francavilla, Fresagrandinaria, Frisa, Furci, Gessopalena, Gissi, Giuliano Teatino, Guardiagrele, Guilmi, Lama dei Peligni, Lanciano, Lentella, Liscia, Miglianico, Monteodorisio, Mozzagrogna, Orsogna, Ortona, Paglieta, Palmoli, Palombaro, Pennapiedimonte, Perano, Poggiofiorito, Pollutri, Pretoro, Rapino, Ripa Teatina, Roccascalegna, Roccamontepiano, Rocca San Giovanni, San Buono, Sant'Eusanio del Sangro, San Giovanni Teatino, Santa Maria Imbaro, San Martino sulla Marrucina, San Salvo, San Vito Chietino, Scerni, Tollo, Torino di Sangro, Tornareccio, Torrevecchia Teatina, Treglio, Tufillo, Vasto, Villalfonsina, Villamagna, Vacri. 2) provincia di L'Aquila: Acciano, Anversa degli Abruzzi, Balsorano, Bugnara, Canistro, Capestrano, Castel di Ieri, Castelvecchio Subequo, Civita d'Antino, Civitella Roveto, Cocullo, Corfinio, Fagnano Alto, Fontecchio, Fossa, Gagliano Aterno, Goriano Sicoli, Introdacqua, Molina Aterno, Morino, Ofena, Pacentro, Poggio Picenze, Pratola Peligna, Pettorano sul Gizio, Prezza, Raiano, Roccacasale, San Demetrio nei Vestini, Sant'Eusanio Forconese, San Vincenzo Valle Roveto, Secinaro, Sulmona, Tione d'Abruzzi, Villa S. Angelo, Villa S. Lucia, Vittorito. 3) provincia di Pescara: Alanno, Bolognano, Brittoli, Bussi, Cappelle sul Tavo, Castiglione a Casauria, Catignano, Cepagatti, Città Sant'Angelo, Civitella Casanova, Civitaquana, Collecorvino, Corvara, Cugnoli, Elice, Farindola, Lettomanoppello, Loreto Aprutino, Manoppello, Montebello di Bertona, Montesilvano, Moscufo, Nocciano, Penne, Pianella, Pietranico, Picciano, Pescara, Pescosansonesco, Popoli, Rosciano, San Valentino, Scafa, Serramonacesca, Spoltore, Tocco da Casauria, Torre de’ Passeri, Turrivalignani, Vicoli. 4) provincia di Teramo: Alba Adriatica, Ancarano, Atri, Basciano, Bellante, Bisenti, Campli, Canzano, Castel Castagna, Castellalto, Castiglione Messer Raimondo, Castilenti, Cellino Attanasio, Cermignano, Civitella del Tronto, Colledara, Colonnella, Controguerra, Corropoli, Giulianova, Martinsicuro, Montefino, Montorio al Vomano, Morro d’Oro, Mosciano, Nereto, Notaresco, Penna S. Andrea, Pineto, Roseto degli Abruzzi, Sant'Egidio, Sant'Omero, Silvi, Teramo, Torano Nuovo, Tortoreto, Tossicia e Isola del Gran Sasso.

Art. 3

Official source

Official product specification · Montepulciano d'Abruzzo