Juicy sour cherry, soft tannins and lip-smacking acidity combine to give an unusually fine example of Montepulciano. The quality of the fruit takes this casual dining classic to a new level.

Deeply-coloured red with aromas of violets and ripe black fruit. The palate is richly-flavoured and generous with attractive black cherry fruit, wild plum, youthful tannins and good length. A great combination of spicy, robust flavours with fresh and approachable fruit.

The Montepulciano grapes are grown in the 9 hectare Colle Caparrone vineyard, southeast facing and at 200m altitude. The grapes are harvested at the start of October. Then they're fermented in stainless steel at a controlled temperature of 26-28ºC for 2-3 weeks, with up to a week's maceration on the skins.

Rocco Pasetti's superbly sited 30 hectare estate lies in the heart of the Collecorvino district in the hills northwest of Pescara, recognised as one of the best vineyard zones in Abruzzo. Surrounding the winery the south-facing slopes of clay-chalk soils, at around 250m altitude, are ideal for the cultivation of Montepulciano, with Pecorino grown on the lower slopes. The cellar was completed in 2004 - carved into the hillside. Rocco's son, Franco Pasetti, is also a winemaker and now works alongside him at the estate. The Contesa wines are impeccably made expressions of Abruzzo's local grapes - modern and easy to drink, yet wines of real substance.

A proven match for quality pork and leek sausages, onion gravy and mash!