Montepulciano is a common variety in Italy though in Australia belongs in the group referred to as alternative varieties and being a recent addition to the varieties growing is uncommon. A country like Australia started the wine making journey with a blank sheet which was filled with cuttings taken from France, perhaps Spain and Madeira and the Cape of Good Hope.
An odd mix it was and very different in this way to the large wine producing regions of Europe, mainly France, Spain, Italy, which developed different suites of varieties which became part of their wine and food identity. With the interest in table wines growing from the 1950s the Australian style developed from what existed, varieties useful in making fortifieds, and the influence of the great French wines. Thus Cabernet and Chardonnay were urgently needed and not long after Pinot Noir.
It was not till the 1990s or so that interest developed for varieties from Spain, Portugal and Italy. Now this interest is spreading to varieties in more marginal regions like Greece and Georgia. Seen in this light expect a little bit of the Italian style and flavour when you taste this Village Belle.
