Wine Denomination from Abruzzo
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane is a dry red wine from the hills of the Teramo province, in the north of Abruzzo. It is made almost entirely from the Montepulciano grape. It is the top tier of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo: a DOCG, Italy's highest quality level, since 2003. The rules are stricter than for the broader Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC, with more Montepulciano in the blend, lower yields and longer ageing. Labels may show the name in either order: "Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane" or "Colline Teramane Montepulciano d'Abruzzo".
It is always dry. The wine is deep ruby, almost purple when young, with aromas of black cherry, plum and blackberry. Many bottles also show licorice, dried herbs and spice. It is full-bodied, with firm tannins and fresh acidity. With a few years in bottle it gains notes of leather, tobacco and dried fruit. Compared with an everyday Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, it is usually more concentrated, more structured and better suited to the cellar.
If you like the softer, fruitier Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Colline Teramane is the same grape in a deeper, firmer style. Outside Abruzzo, the closest match is Conero DOCG from the Marche, another Montepulciano-based Riserva. Fans of a ripe Merlot or a structured Cabernet Sauvignon will also find it familiar: dark fruit, a round body and enough tannin to stand up to red meat.
In the US, most Colline Teramane wines cost about $25–60. That is more than a basic Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, which often sells for about $10–15. The difference comes from the smaller area, lower yields and the longer ageing that the rules require before release. Even so, these wines are good value next to Italian reds of similar quality from Tuscany or Piedmont.
These producers make Colline Teramane wines in our catalog:
- Illuminati: based in Controguerra, in the north of the zone, and one of its best-known names. Try the Zanna Riserva or the Pieluni Riserva.
- Masciarelli: one of Abruzzo's leading estates. Its Marina Cvetic Iskra Riserva is a Colline Teramane DOCG.
- Villa Medoro: look for the Adrano.
- Also in our catalog: Velenosi with Verso Sera, and Bossanova with Il Bossa.
Not every top wine from Teramo uses the DOCG name. Emidio Pepe, in Torano Nuovo inside the zone, labels its famous red as Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC. For more bottles at every price, see our best Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wines guide.
The zone covers hillside vineyards in the province of Teramo, between the Gran Sasso, the highest peak of the Apennines, and the Adriatic Sea. The mountains bring cool nights, while the sea moderates the summer heat. This day-night swing helps the grapes keep their acidity as they ripen. Soils are mostly clay and limestone. The Vomano and Tordino rivers cut valleys through the area. Montepulciano ripens late, so the harvest often runs into October.
Serve it at 16–18°C (61–64°F) in a large glass. Open a young bottle an hour before drinking, or decant it to soften the tannins. Most wines drink well from about five years after the vintage. Riserva bottles from good producers can age for ten years or more, and older bottles may throw a sediment.
This is a wine for hearty food. In Teramo it goes with local dishes such as timballo (a layered pasta bake made with crepes) and maccheroni alla chitarra with meat ragù. It also suits arrosticini (grilled lamb skewers), roast lamb, braised beef, game and aged Pecorino cheese. Avoid delicate fish and light salads, which the tannins will overpower.
Colline Teramane is pronounced kol-LEE-neh teh-rah-MAH-neh. Montepulciano is mon-teh-pool-CHAH-noh.
Colline Teramane is the top red wine of Abruzzo. The region also makes the rosé Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo from the same grape. Read our Abruzzo wine guide for the whole region, learn more about the Montepulciano grape, or browse every Colline Teramane in our catalog below.