Comparison
Etna Rosso vs Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
How Etna Rosso and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
Etna Rosso and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo come from the same country but sit in different territory. The main differences: Etna Rosso has more earthy character; Etna Rosso has more acidity; Etna Rosso has more floral character.
Choose
Etna Rosso
Choose Etna Rosso if you want something earthier, fresher and more acidic, more floral.
Choose
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Choose Montepulciano d’Abruzzo if you want something fuller and richer.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Etna Rosso is earthier: medium-plus against low.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Etna Rosso is fresher and more acidic: high against medium.
Floral character
Clear differenceBlossom, rose, violet, elderflower, acacia and related aromatic notes.
Etna Rosso is more floral: medium against low.
Perceived freshness
Clear differenceThe overall impression of liveliness — a composite of acidity, alcohol balance, fruit character and the absence of tiredness. Distinct from raw acidity: a wine can be high in acid yet taste heavy.
Etna Rosso is fresher: high against medium.
Tannin
Clear differencePhenolic compounds from grape skins, seeds, stems and oak. The principal structural axis of red wine.
Etna Rosso is more tannic and structured: medium-plus against medium.
Body
Clear differenceThe overall weight and viscosity of the wine in the mouth — a composite of alcohol, sugar, extract and glycerol.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is fuller and richer: medium-plus against medium.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
- Oak influence: Similar — both low-medium.
- Herbal / green character: Similar — both low.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Etna Rosso | Montepulciano d’Abruzzo |
|---|---|---|
| Earthy character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | low (1/5) |
| Acidity | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Floral character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | low (1/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Body | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Texture | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | medium (3/5) | medium (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Spice | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Carbonation | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Serve at | 15–17°C | 15–17°C |
| Typical flavours | red cherry, dried orange peel, ash, wild herbs, smoke | black plum, blackberry, dried herbs, liquorice, cocoa |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Style
Etna Rosso
Pale, high-acid, ashy red from vineyards on an active volcano — Sicily’s most un-Sicilian wine.
Style
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Soft, deeply coloured, plummy Italian red at consistently low prices — and unrelated to the Tuscan town of Montepulciano.
Comparison
Etna Rosso vs Red Burgundy
Etna is the wine world’s favourite Burgundy substitute. Does it hold up?