A new wave of producers in one of Italy's least celebrated wine regions looks to the past. Today, Walter profiles Francesco Cirelli (whose vineyards in Atri are pictured above), Marina Palusci and Rabasco. Look out for part 2 tomorrow.
The Valentini effect
Last year the Italian Sommelier Association awarded Valentini’s Montepulciano d’Abruzzo its highest score, making it that year’s undisputed top wine, beating both Brunello and Barolo. ‘In the last 10 years the quality of Montepulciano has shot up’, explained Francesco Valentini, who took over the reins in 2006 on the death of his father Edoardo, with this caveat: ‘There...