Lidl, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Riserva, Abruzzo, Italy, 2019

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is the flagship wine of Italy's Abruzzo region, accounting for the lion's share of its DOC production. The supple, easy-drinking red wines are made from the Montepulciano grape which grows and ripens best in Italy’s southern half. Riserva bottlings such as this should combine the softness of the grape with extra structure and tannins from the longer ageing in oak. This isn't a complex example of the style, but there's a good weight of bright plum and cherry fruit, and a toastiness from the oak. Fresh acidity helps the balance.