Friday, October 16, 2026

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Pecorino (a White Wine) of Cascina del Colle in Abruzzo, Italy, and Pasta at Thompson Italian, Falls Church, with Alfredo Grifone from the Winery and Roberto D'onofrio of Impero Wine Imports (October 2026)






Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Pecorino (a white wine) of @Cascina del Colle in Abruzzo, Italy, and seafood pasta at Thompson Italian in Falls Church, with Alfredo Grifone from the winery and Roberto D'onofrio of @Impero Wine Imports.

Invitation by Thampson Italian 

We have a special guest in Falls Church on Monday night! 

Alfredo Grifone of Cascina del Colle is visiting from Abruzzo, the rugged stretch of Italy between the Apennines and the Adriatic. 

Roberto D'Onofrio of Impero is joining him, and together they’re pouring a four-wine flight that covers the region in four glasses. 

WHAT WE'RE POURING 

Pecorino Abruzzo’s signature white grape. Named for the sheep that couldn’t stop eating the grapes, not for the cheese. Crisp, mineral, and textured. 

Montepulciano Rosato Not your summer pink. It’s deeper, more savory, and full of bright cherry. 

Two Montepulciano Reds Same grape, two very different wines.

Taste them side by side to experience the difference. Each pour is 3 oz, so you get a proper taste of each one, and Alfredo will be there to tell you the story behind every glass. 

THREE WAYS TO ENJOY 

The Flight, $30 All four wines, poured by the people who know them best. 

Pasta + Flight, $50 Any bowl of our handmade pasta with the full flight. (Pro tip: Rigatoni Bolognese and Montepulciano were made for each other.) 

Classic Pasta Night Special, $35 Any bowl of pasta with any glass of wine from our regular menu, as always. 

Alfredo and Roberto will be pouring from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and reservations are recommended. See you tomorrow!

Cascina del Colle

Cascina del Colle is a family-run, certified-organic winery located in Villamagna, in the Abruzzo region.

Location: Situated in the heart of Villamagna in the province of Chieti, southwest of the coastal town of Pescara, sitting about 280 to 300 meters above sea level.

History & Ownership: Founded and operated by the D'Onofrio Family, the estate spans 16 hectares of vineyards and olive groves with over 25 to 60 years of winemaking and organic farming tradition. 

Wine Portfolio: Specializes in native Abruzzo grapes, including Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo, Pecorino, and Passerina. 

Signature wines include Aimè (Pecorino Superiore), Mammut (Montepulciano d'Abruzzo), and Negus (Montepulciano d'Abruzzo).

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo versus Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano are two completely different Italian red wines that share a confusingly similar name. 

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 

The Name: Named after the grape variety (Montepulciano), which is widely planted in the eastern Abruzzo region. 

The Style: Known as a reliable, fruit-forward, and rustic crowd-pleaser. It delivers deep color, rich dark-berry flavors, and soft-to-firm tannins.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 

The Name: Named after the place (the town of Montepulciano in Tuscany), not the grape. 

The Grape: Made primarily from Sangiovese (locally called Prugnolo Gentile), meaning it shares more stylistic DNA with Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino than with Abruzzo's wines. 

The Style: More structured, savory, and age-worthy, featuring bright acidity and earthy, herbal cherry characteristics.

Thompson Italian 


The Bar



Pasta 



The Wines





Tasting
 






Good Night
 

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