Woodstock ‘Naughty Monte’ Montepulciano

The Woodstock ‘Naughty Monte’ Montepulciano is a great food wine that is perfectly paired with Italian classics. This wine and a good pizza on a Friday night seems like the perfect pairing to me. It is smooth with a spicy finish and vibrant up front with red fruits followed by a savoury hit. Delicious from start to finish! 

Who else loves a good Italian varietal? I love Sangiovese, but to be honest, I love all Italian wines. They are so food worthy and delicious. So when I was sent this Montepulciano to try from Woodstock Wines, I was beyond excited.

We visited Woodstock Wines when we went to McLaren Vale because someone had recommended them to my partner. I am so glad we did because their wines were fantastic. We brought one home (we’d run out of space in our luggage) which was an American Oak Shiraz. If you’ve been here for some time you’ll know my husband is obsessed with American Oak, so needless to say Woodstock Wines shot to the top of his winery list.

I didn’t try their Montepulciano when we visited so I was really keen to get stuck into it when they sent a few wines for me to try.

About Woodstock

Woodstock has been family owned and operated for three generations, maintaining a commitment to capturing the essence of McLaren Vale since 1973. The original property was named by English settlers after their hometown in England. They received a lease in 1905, built a home and established an orchid and vineyard. It has been known as Woodstock ever since.

Woodstock sources most of their grapes from Woodstock Estate in McLaren Vale with Shiraz, Cab Sav, Grenache, Mataro, Riesling and Montepulciano planted. They own some of the oldest vineyards in McLaren Vale with their flagship vineyard ‘The Stocks’ planted around 1900, a bush vine Grenache vineyard planted in 1930 and the rest in the 1970s-80s.

Although not certified Organic yet, their vines are treated with minimal impact sprays and no pesticides.

What I loved about the Woodstock ‘Naughty Monte’ Montepulciano

The Woodstock ‘Naughty Monte’ Montepulciano’s name comes from the idea that a little rascal is hiding in all of us who loves the good times and late wild nights. Woodstock felt this character symbolises the nature of Montepulciano: delicate on the nose but savoury and a little wild on the palate. It was made using grapes from vines planted in 2010 and aged in purely stainless steel rather than oak to better accentuate distinctive varietal characters.

What I love about Woodstock ‘Naughty Monte’ Montepulciano is the complexity between the aroma and palate. On the nose, it has vibrant and fresh notes of mulberry, blackberry and plum with a hint of herbal characteristics. These flavours follow through into the palate which has a hit of bright red fruit upfront but has a delicious savoury finish and crunchy tannins. This wine is medium-bodied and smooth with a cheeky spicy finish. It has complexity yet is well balanced and moreish.

What to enjoy it with

The Woodstock ‘Naughty Monte’ Montepulciano is a perfect food wine, as most Italian wines are. If you’re looking for the perfect pairing look no further than you’re Italian staples. Think red-based pasta sauces, pizzas and antipasto. Those flavours of tomato, herbs and spice are the perfect pairing to this vibrant yet smooth wine. I can’t think of a better pairing than a bottle of this with some good pizza on a Friday night!

In summary: Woodstock ‘Naughty Monte’ Montepulciano

The Woodstock ‘Naughty Monte’ Montepulciano is a vibrant yet smooth food wine that is perfect for enjoying Italian classics. I really enjoyed unpacking this wine and its complexity from its fruit-driven nose to savoury finish. Those notes of red berries and rosemary along with a spicy finish made for a wine I could see myself going back to time and time again.

Find out more about this wine at the Woodstock Wines website.

Note: I was sent this wine as a sample. I was under no obligation to post about it.