By Dwight Casimere
Villamagna is a relatively new wine label from Italy’s Abruzzo region. Located in northeast Italy near the town of Chieti, it is in the very heart of Montepulciano country.
Red wines from Villamagna come primarily from the Montepulciano grape. Hand picked and fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks, the wines are soft and easy to drink. Tannins are smooth and the taste is fresh.
Silky on the palate, the sensation of drinking Villamagna wine is harmonic. It is a symphony that binds multiple instruments into a single score of captivating beauty.
Created in 2011, the DOC observes strict standards for maturation of the Montepulciano grape. A soil mix of limestone, marl, and clay, contributes to the wine’s complex aromas and flavors.
Colin Proietto, Marketing Manager for Villamagna poured me a glass of 2019 Villamagna. Right away, the color and aroma gave a prelude to what was to follow. “This is our interpretation of the Montepulciano grape grown in Villamagna. The wine has 33 days of maceration on the skin followed by 12 months of aging in stainless steel followed by 6 months of aging in large Slavonian oak casks. We follow that with an additional six months of aging in the bottle.”
The result is a wine with a deep black color with ruby hints dancing in the glass. Its intense nose of ripe fruit gives way to flavors of wild berries and hints of coffee and cocoa with a finish that is supple and round. The wine tastes great on its own, but it really shines with food.
This is a beautifully crafted wine that goes easily with pastas in red sauces, Italian sausage, ham, grilled chicken and pizza. It’s easy drinking and casual. For more, visit villamagnadoc.it.
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