Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is one of Italy’s most abused names and one of its best values, depending entirely on who made it. The grape has nothing to do with the Tuscan town of Montepulciano, and in the hills of Abruzzo it produces a dark, plush, tannic red that can be either a bulk commodity or a genuinely great wine. Pettinella sits firmly on the good side, making Montepulciano the traditional way rather than the industrial one. The 2022 is exactly the kind of red you buy by the case and never regret: dark, savory, and built for actual dinner rather than contemplation. Abruzzo has been the quiet answer to expensive Italian reds for years now.