An Authentic Sip of Abruzzo's
Countryside
Charm
About RICCI
Ricci celebrates the small but important role hedgehogs, known as ricci, play in a healthy vineyard ecosystem. As dusk approaches and the vineyards become quiet, tiny ricci emerge to forage among the vines, hedgerows, grasses, and stone borders, feeding on insects, beetles, larvae, worms, and other small invertebrates that live in the soil and on the vineyard floor.
Their natural movement through the vineyard reflects a balanced environment where vines, soil, plants, and wildlife work together. By feeding on insects and helping keep the ecosystem active, hedgehogs symbolize a gentler connection between nature and winemaking. They remind us that a vineyard is more than rows of grapes—it is a living landscape shaped by countless small details.
For Ricci Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, the hedgehog is a fitting symbol of rustic Italian charm, biodiversity, and respect for the land. Just as these quiet creatures help maintain harmony in the vineyard, the wine captures the character of its place: earthy, vibrant, approachable, and deeply connected to the natural world around it.
RICCI
Montepulciano
d'Abruzzo
2025
Appearance
A vibrant ruby-red color with youthful purple reflections at the rim, highlighting its freshness and early-drinking appeal. In the glass, the wine appears bright and clean, with medium to deep concentration that suggests ripe fruit and generous flavor. When swirled, it leaves soft, even legs on the glass, pointing to a smooth texture and balanced body.
Aroma
The nose opens with expressive aromas of ripe black cherry, red plum, blackberry, and dark raspberry. As the wine develops in the glass, subtle notes of violet, dried herbs, sweet tobacco, black pepper, and gentle baking spice begin to emerge. There is also a light earthy undertone, giving the wine a rustic Italian character while keeping the overall profile fresh, fruit-forward, and inviting.
Palate
This Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is medium-bodied, smooth, and approachable, with juicy flavors of black cherry, plum, and ripe red berries. The fruit is supported by soft tannins and lively acidity, creating a balanced structure that makes the wine both easy to enjoy and highly food-friendly. Hints of spice, dried herbs, cocoa, and subtle earth add depth without overwhelming the fresh fruit character.
Finish
The finish is clean, smooth, and savory, with lingering notes of black cherry, plum, light baking spice, and light whispers of dried herbs, violets, dark chocolate, and tobacco leaf. Soft tannins gently grip the sides of the mouth while the wine's refreshing acidity keeps the finish lively, preventing the ripe fruit from feeling jammy or flat.
Food Pairings
Meat Dishes
RICCI is an excellent match for classic Italian dishes such as grilled lamb skewers, Neretese-style goat, spaghetti bolognese, meatballs in hearty tomato sauce as well as seafood starters like clams, calamari, scampi, and coastal fish stews. The wine’s acidity works beautifully with tomato-based sauces, while its soft tannins complement richer meats without overpowering them.
It also pairs well with grilled Italian sausage, Porchetta pork roasts, herb-roasted chicken, veal parmesan, lamb chops, wild boar, and grilled steaks. Dishes seasoned with garlic, rosemary, oregano, basil, thyme, black pepper, or fennel bring out the wine’s savory and herbal notes. For casual pairings, try brick oven pepperoni pizza, burgers, barbecue chicken, roast beef sandwiches, or meat charcuterie boards featuring salami, soppressata, prosciutto, and capicola.
Vegetarian Dishes
This wine shines alongside vegetarian-friendly Abruzzo dishes that are rooted in cucina povera—simple country cooking that is built around crusty breads, cheese, egg dumplings, beans, pasta, greens, olive oil, tomato and herbs.
Excellent options include legume soups, roasted eggplant, grilled zucchini, stuffed peppers, mushroom risotto, sautéed mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, and eggplant. Earthy vegetables such as lentils, mushrooms, chickpeas, white beans, and roasted root vegetables will highlight the wine’s rustic character.
RICCI pairs beautifully with tomato bruschetta, caprese salad, marinated artichokes, olives, roasted red peppers, and vegetable flatbreads. The wine’s bright acidity balances the sweetness of cooked tomatoes and the richness of olive oil, making it a natural partner for popular Mediterranean-style vegetable dishes.
Cheese Pairings
RICCI is a rich, smooth, fruit-forward Italian red with deep cherry and plum flavors, soft tannins, moderate acidity, and a savory finish. Because it is approachable but still flavorful, it pairs especially well with cheeses that are salty, nutty, aged, or slightly creamy.
Some of our favorite pairings are with
classic Abruzzo sheep’s milk cheeses such as pecorino, Canestrato di Castel del Monte, and Pecorino di Farindola.
Other cheese options include Pecorino d’Abruzzo, Pecorino di Farindola, Canestrato di Castel del Monte, Caciocavallo, Scamorza, Marcetto, and fresh ricotta.
For a well-rounded cheese board, be sure to add coarse cured pork salami, prosciutto, olives, roasted peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, rustic homemade bread, and olive oil.
The Rustic Soul of Abruzzo
History
Winemaking in Abruzzo dates back to ancient times, with vine cultivation believed to have been practiced by early Italic peoples long before the rise of Rome. The region’s position between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea made it well suited for agriculture, and the Romans later expanded vineyard plantings and helped spread Abruzzo wines through trade and military routes. For centuries, Abruzzo remained a largely rural wine region, where grapes were grown by farming families and local cooperatives. Wine was an essential part of daily life, closely tied to regional food, village traditions, and the agricultural landscape.
Climate
This region in central Italy enjoys warm Mediterranean sunshine, which helps grapes ripen fully and develop deep color, ripe fruit flavors, and generous body. At the same time, cooling breezes from the mountains and the Adriatic help preserve freshness, acidity, and balance in the wines. Many vineyards are planted on hillsides, where warm days and cooler nights create ideal conditions for Montepulciano, Abruzzo’s signature red grape. This balance of sun, elevation, and coastal influence gives Abruzzo wines their classic character: ripe, flavorful, smooth, and food-friendly, with enough freshness to keep them lively and approachable.
Soil
Abruzzo’s soils are diverse, shaped by the region’s mix of mountains, hillsides, river valleys, and coastal areas. Many vineyards are planted on well-draining hillside soils, which help control vine vigor and encourage grapes with concentration, color, and structure. Common soils include clay, limestone, calcareous marl, sand, gravel, and alluvial deposits. Clay helps retain moisture during warm, dry periods and can add body and richness to the wines. Limestone and marl contribute freshness, minerality, and structure, while sandy and gravelly soils improve drainage and can produce wines with bright fruit and smooth texture.
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With Us
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