The 1993 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (5,000 cases available) exhibits an opaque purple color that is reminiscent of a California Petite-Sirah, a huge, spicy, peppery, black-cherry nose, gutsy, full-bodied, exuberant flavors, and a chewy, blockbuster finish. While it will never win any awards for finesse, it is a mouthfilling, explosively fruity, rich, pure, well-made wine. Drink it over the next 5-6 years. For the moment, the wines of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo may be the best bargains of the wine world. (Italy's lira is in even worse shape than America's dollar.) The three wines from Cornacchia reviewed in this issue offer convincing evidence that this is the place to be - whether you are a consumer, retailer, wholesaler, or Italian wine importer. If you have not already discovered the joys offered by the wines from this unheralded region of Italy, check out these three dazzling offerings from Cornacchia. Importer: Ideal Wines and Spirits, Medford, MA; tel. (617) 395-3300

This Italian Chateauneuf du Pape look-alike exhibits a deep color, a huge, peppery, spicy, earthy, black-cherry-scented nose, wonderfully rich, unctuously-textured, thick, fruity flavors, and a long, lusty, heady finish. Drink this knock-out bargain over the next 4-5 years. Consider buying this one by the case. Importer: Ideal Wines & Spirits, Medford, MA.

This Montepulciano d'Abruzzo offers an opaque ruby/purple color, a huge, smoky, black-cherry and herb-scented nose, ripe, sensationally deep, rich flavors, great texture and depth of fruit, as well as a long, spicy finish. Drink this beauty over the next 5-6 years. It is a shame Italian wines have become so over-priced when compared to what is available elsewhere in the world. But is this wine a splendid bargain! Importer: Ideal Wines, Medford, MA.