Comparison
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo vs Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
How Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir differ, dimension by dimension.
The short answer
The main differences: Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir has more earthy character; Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir has more acidity; Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir has more floral character.
Choose
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Choose Montepulciano d’Abruzzo if you want something fuller and richer.
Choose
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Choose Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir if you want something earthier, fresher and more acidic, more floral.
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.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is earthier: medium-plus against low.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is fresher and more acidic: high against medium.
Floral character
Clear differenceBlossom, rose, violet, elderflower, acacia and related aromatic notes.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 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.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is fresher: high 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.
Oak influence
Clear differencePerceptible impact of barrel or alternative oak contact — vanilla, toast, coconut, smoke, cedar and added texture.
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is more oaky: medium against low-medium.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low.
- Tannin: Similar — both medium.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Fruit intensity: Similar — both medium-plus.
- Aromatic intensity: Similar — both medium.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Montepulciano d’Abruzzo | Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir |
|---|---|---|
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Floral character | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Body | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Oak influence | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Savoury character | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Texture | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Sweetness | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Tannin | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Fruit intensity | 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) |
| 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 | 14–16°C |
| Typical flavours | black plum, blackberry, dried herbs, liquorice, cocoa | red cherry, cranberry, forest floor, blood orange, sea spray |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.