Villamagna is a relatively new DOC title, introduced to Italy's official wine-administration system in 2011. It covers red wines made from Montepulciano grapes grown around the parish of Villamagna (in Montepulciano's home region, Abruzzo). The DOC was created in 2011, amid Italy's feverish efforts to create or promote as many DOC and DOCG titles as possible before relinquishing its wine-administration powers to the European Union.
Villamagna lies roughly half-way between Tollo and Chieti, the very heart of Montepulciano country and the centre of the large Montepulciano d'Abruzzo viticultural area. The Villamagna wines may be produced only from vines grown in the parishes of Foro, Serrepenne and Villamagna itself.
Naturally, given that they're made from the same grape variety in the same area, Villamagna wines and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wines have a great deal in common. Both are dry, red, mid-bodied wines with generous, soft fruit flavors and moderate tannins.
Montepulciano is one of Italy's most popular red-wine varieties. A plump grape, which gives good yields of easy-drinking wine, it is popular with producers and consumers alike and has thrived in Abruzzo since the middle of the 18th century. The variety typically provides deeply colored juice (which varies from ruby to purple depending on vintage and the particular winemaking techniques used), with low acidity and soft, unobtrusive tannins. Globally appreciated for their soft flavors, strong color and gentle tannins, Montepulciano wines are typically best consumed in their youth and with food.
