Jasci Domino Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva 2021

Domino is the Jasci family's Montepulciano d'Abruzzo riserva, from vineyards spread over the hills of Vasto, Pollutri and Scerni, in the province of Chieti. The plots, planted between 2000 and 2010 and cordon-trained (Royat), face south-east at 250 metres. Between the Adriatic and the Apennines, the sunny climate, cooled by sea breezes, allows Montepulciano to reach full ripeness.

The grapes, organically grown, are harvested by hand during the second half of October, then destemmed. Fermentation, with native yeasts, is accompanied by a twelve- to fifteen-day maceration on the skins, followed by gentle pressing and a rest in large casks. The wine is then aged for a year in once-used barriques, then refined for a further six months in bottle before release.

This wine reveals notes of blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, forest fruits, vanilla, liquorice, cinnamon and menthol. The broad, ripe black fruit is enriched by spicy touches and a minty freshness brought by the ageing. The palate, full-bodied and with great personality, combines fruity substance with light oaky tones, persistent tannins and lively acidity, through to a long finish.

Ah, Italy, what a beautiful, hedonistic country, the land of la dolce vita, but how difficult it is to understand its wine industry! The key to understanding the appellation system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous nation, as each region has its own appellation system. Italy can offer wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, bottles brimming with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless, characterless wines sold under their most commercially useful and prestigious name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco, and many others... But let's talk a little history. Viticulture in Italy dates back to antiquity and originated in Greece. The Etruscans are said to have introduced the vine, and Greek immigrants improved and modified the grape varieties, subsequently calling the country "Oenotria": the land of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life, and certain regions already distinguished themselves by the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible mark of their conquest. Today, Italy is the world's largest wine producer, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic zones. The northern mountains have a rather harsh mountain climate. The plains of the "central boot" are characterized by a continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the southern part of the Italian boot, the Mediterranean climate prevails, with very hot and dry summers, not forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In short, Italy produces a wide variety of wines thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originated in its own lands. It is a country as complex as its wines, which deserve to be explored!