Verga La Storia 1895 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo – Heritage Meets Modern Italian Excellence

Updated → September 2025

Discover the exceptional Verga La Storia 1895 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, a full-bodied Italian red that captures 130 years of winemaking tradition with notes of blackberry, cocoa, and roasted cashews, earning 92 points from James Suckling.

The Italian Wine Renaissance in Abruzzo

The Verga La Storia 1895 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo represents a fascinating chapter in Italy's wine revolution. The Abruzzo region, stretching from the Adriatic coast to the Apennine Mountains, has transformed from a bulk wine producer into one of Italy's most exciting quality wine regions. This particular bottle embodies that transformation, combining traditional winemaking wisdom with modern techniques that appeal to contemporary palates.

The region's renaissance began in the 1990s when forward-thinking producers recognized the exceptional potential of their native Montepulciano grapes. Today, wines like the Verga La Storia 1895 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo showcase how this historically undervalued region can produce wines that rival Italy's most prestigious appellations while maintaining approachable price points.

The Natale Verga 1895 Legacy

Natale Verga's winemaking journey began in 1895, making it one of Italy's historic wine houses with over 130 years of continuous production. The La Storia line, meaning "The Story" in Italian, pays homage to this remarkable legacy while embracing modern winemaking innovations. This Verga La Storia 1895 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo represents the culmination of generations of expertise, combining time-honored traditions with contemporary quality standards.

The winery's commitment to excellence shows in every aspect of production, from meticulous vineyard management to careful selection of oak barrels for aging. Their philosophy centers on expressing the true character of Abruzzo's terroir while maintaining consistency across vintages, a balance that few producers achieve with such mastery.

Understanding the Montepulciano Grape

Montepulciano, not to be confused with the Tuscan town of the same name, ranks as Italy's second most planted red grape variety. This robust varietal thrives in Abruzzo's diverse microclimates, producing wines with remarkable depth and character. The grape's thick skin contributes to the wine's deep ruby color and substantial tannin structure, while its natural acidity ensures freshness even in warmer vintages.

In the Verga La Storia 1895 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, these characteristics translate into a wine with impressive concentration and aging potential. The variety's adaptability allows winemakers to craft everything from easy-drinking everyday wines to serious, age-worthy bottles that develop complexity over decades.

Abruzzo's Unique Terroir

Abruzzo's geography creates ideal conditions for growing Montepulciano grapes. The region benefits from a unique combination of maritime influence from the Adriatic Sea and alpine cooling from the Gran Sasso mountain range. This dual influence creates significant diurnal temperature variations, allowing grapes to ripen fully while retaining crucial acidity. The Verga La Storia 1895 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo captures this terroir beautifully, balancing power with elegance.

The vineyards benefit from diverse soil types, including limestone-clay compositions that provide excellent drainage while retaining moisture during dry periods. These soils impart a distinctive mineral character to the wine, adding complexity to the fruit-forward profile. The region's commitment to sustainable viticulture ensures that these exceptional terroirs will continue producing outstanding wines for generations.

Complete Tasting Profile

Upon pouring, the Verga La Storia 1895 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo reveals a deep ruby color with purple highlights, suggesting both youth and concentration. The nose immediately captivates with intoxicating aromas of roasted cashews and blackened cherries, followed by layers of ripe blackberries, cocoa, and subtle coffee notes. These primary fruit characteristics are beautifully complemented by hints of Mediterranean herbs and warm spices.

On the palate, this wine delivers remarkable depth and complexity. The attack is bold yet refined, with flavors of caramel, mocha, and raspberry purée cascading across the tongue. Dark chocolate ganache notes emerge mid-palate, supported by very fine-grained tannins that provide structure without astringency. The finish is long and harmonious, with a mineral touch that adds sophistication. James Suckling's 92-point rating for the 2019 vintage acknowledges this wine's exceptional quality and approachability.

Traditional Production Methods

The creation of Verga La Storia 1895 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo begins with careful hand-harvesting of grapes at optimal ripeness. This labor-intensive approach ensures only the finest fruit enters the winery, eliminating damaged or underripe berries that could compromise quality. The grapes undergo gentle destemming and crushing to preserve fruit integrity while extracting optimal color and flavor compounds.

Fermentation occurs under carefully controlled temperatures, typically between 25-28°C, allowing for maximum extraction of color and tannins while preserving delicate fruit aromas. The winemaking team employs traditional punch-down techniques during fermentation, ensuring gentle extraction and integration of components. Post-fermentation maceration extends for several days, adding structure and complexity to the final wine.

The Art of Oak Aging

Oak aging plays a crucial role in developing the Verga La Storia 1895 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo's sophisticated profile. The wine rests in carefully selected oak barrels, where it develops additional layers of complexity. The oak imparts subtle vanilla and spice notes while allowing micro-oxygenation that softens tannins and integrates flavors. This patient aging process transforms a good wine into an exceptional one, adding the structure necessary for extended cellaring.

The winery's expertise in oak management ensures the wood complements rather than dominates the wine's natural fruit character. The result is a beautifully balanced wine where oak serves as a supporting element, enhancing the Montepulciano grape's inherent qualities while adding textural richness and aromatic complexity.

Expert Food Pairing Guide

The Verga La Storia 1895 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo shines alongside hearty Italian cuisine. Its robust structure and fruit-forward character make it an ideal companion for Bistecca alla Fiorentina, where the wine's tannins cut through the richness of the grilled meat while its fruit complements the char. The wine also excels with lamb preparations, particularly herb-crusted roasts where the wine's subtle spice notes echo the seasoning.

For cheese pairings, consider aged selections like smoked Gouda or Parmigiano-Reggiano, whose nutty, savory flavors harmonize beautifully with the wine's roasted cashew notes. Pasta dishes with rich meat sauces, such as traditional Abruzzese maccheroni alla chitarra with lamb ragù, create perfect regional harmony. Even simple antipasti like melon wrapped in prosciutto become elevated when paired with this versatile wine.

Optimal Serving Recommendations

To fully appreciate the Verga La Storia 1895 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, proper serving temperature is crucial. Serve between 60-65°F (15-18°C), slightly below room temperature, to highlight the wine's fruit character while maintaining structural balance. Decanting for 30-45 minutes before serving allows the wine to open up, releasing its complex aromatics and softening any youthful edges.

Choose large-bowled red wine glasses that allow ample surface area for aeration. The wider bowl concentrates the wine's aromatic compounds while providing space for swirling, which releases additional layers of complexity. When serving multiple wines, position this Montepulciano d'Abruzzo in the middle of your lineup, after lighter reds but before more tannic selections.

Storage and Cellaring Potential

While the Verga La Storia 1895 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo drinks beautifully upon release, proper storage can enhance its development over time. Store bottles horizontally in a cool, dark location with consistent temperature between 55-60°F and humidity around 70%. These conditions prevent cork drying while allowing the wine to evolve gracefully.

This wine shows excellent aging potential, developing additional complexity over 5-8 years from vintage date. During this time, primary fruit flavors evolve into more nuanced notes of dried cherries, leather, and tobacco, while tannins become increasingly silky. However, the wine's approachable nature means it can be enjoyed immediately, making it versatile for both current consumption and future special occasions.

Value in Today's Market

In an era of escalating wine prices, the Verga La Storia 1895 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo represents exceptional value. This wine delivers quality typically associated with bottles costing significantly more, making it an intelligent choice for both everyday enjoyment and special occasions. The combination of historic pedigree, careful production methods, and critical acclaim creates a compelling value proposition.

Consider that wines scoring 92 points from respected critics often command premium prices. This Montepulciano d'Abruzzo breaks that pattern, offering sophisticated drinking at an accessible price point. For wine enthusiasts building a cellar or restaurants developing wine lists, this represents an opportunity to offer genuine quality without breaking budgets.

Comparing Similar Italian Reds

When evaluating the Verga La Storia 1895 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo against other Italian reds, several distinctions emerge. Compared to Chianti Classico, this wine offers more immediate fruit intensity and approachability, with softer tannins and less aggressive acidity. Against southern Italian primitivos, it shows more elegance and restraint, avoiding the sometimes overwhelming alcohol and sweetness of those wines.

Within its own category, this wine stands out from basic Montepulciano d'Abruzzo offerings through its oak aging program and careful vineyard selection. While entry-level versions can be simple and one-dimensional, the La Storia bottling demonstrates what's possible when producers commit to quality. The wine bridges the gap between everyday drinking wines and special occasion bottles, offering versatility that many Italian reds lack.

Perfect Occasions for This Wine

The Verga La Storia 1895 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo adapts beautifully to various occasions. Its sophistication makes it suitable for formal dinners and celebrations, while its approachability ensures success at casual gatherings. Consider serving it at Italian-themed dinner parties, where its authentic character enhances the cultural experience.

This wine excels as a gift for wine enthusiasts who appreciate quality without pretension. The historic label and impressive scores create talking points, while the wine's accessibility ensures enjoyment regardless of expertise level. For restaurants, it represents an ideal by-the-glass option, offering quality that encourages repeat orders while maintaining profitable margins.

Smart Buying Tips

When purchasing the Verga La Storia 1895 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, consider buying multiple bottles to take advantage of case discounts often offered by retailers. The wine's aging potential makes it suitable for laying down, allowing you to enjoy its evolution over time. Check vintage ratings when available, though the producer's consistency means variation between years remains minimal.

Look for recent vintages to enjoy the wine's vibrant fruit character, or seek older bottles for more developed, complex profiles. Store inventory can vary, so establishing a relationship with knowledgeable wine merchants ensures access to preferred vintages. Consider joining wine clubs or mailing lists that feature Italian wines, as these often provide early access to new releases and special pricing.

Final Verdict and Recommendations

The Verga La Storia 1895 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo stands as a testament to Abruzzo's potential and Natale Verga's winemaking expertise. This wine successfully balances tradition with innovation, delivering complexity and enjoyment at an attractive price point. Its combination of immediate appeal and aging potential makes it versatile enough for any wine collection.

For those seeking authentic Italian wine experiences without premium pricing, this bottle delivers exceptional satisfaction. Whether you're exploring Italian wines for the first time or adding to an established collection, the Verga La Storia 1895 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo deserves serious consideration. Visit Pascale's Wine & Liquors to experience this remarkable wine yourself and discover why critics and consumers alike celebrate this outstanding expression of Italian winemaking.