The History of a Region
Can a single wine region have beauty, history, nature, and good wine? In the case of Italy’s Abruzzo, the answer is a resounding yes. Abruzzo is a still-unexplored territory where diverse features have found perfect harmony.
Considered one of the greenest regions in Italy, Abruzzo sits between the Adriatic Sea and the massifs of the Gran Sasso and Majella. Within this hidden gem, three National Parks and more than 68 national and regional reserves abound. Given its enviable geographic position, it is a territory naturally predisposed to viticulture.
The wine culture of Abruzzo, which has roots in Greek and later Roman times, has its production areas concentrated almost entirely on hilly landscapes near the coastal hills. Thanks to an ideal microclimate and the passionate dedication of its producers, quality products are born with unique and irreplicable taste profiles. The Consorzio di Tutela Vini d’Abruzzo plays a fundamental role in guaranteeing the quality, typicity and origin of Abruzzo wines and the development of its products.
Abruzzo’s Magnificent Wines
The undeniable product leader is Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, a wine with increasing popularity, cultivated on 17,000 hectares. Present in the region since the mid-700s, this wine, with its signature ruby red color and aromas of violet, cherry, berries, and licorice, qualifies as one of the greatest Italian reds. Alone, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo represents over 80% of the total Abruzzo wine production, and is among the top three DOC wines produced in Italy.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo’s white wine counterpart is Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, an ancient wine of great versatility. With its straw yellow color, it is known for its pleasant bouquet of fresh flowers and fruit, with a dry, harmonious and refreshing taste.
But it is not the only white wine of the region capable of refreshing the palate of those who taste it. With their own distinct floral and fruity notes are Pecorino, Passerina, Cococciola, and Montonico.
Reds and whites are joined by Abruzzo’s rosé wines, such as Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, which manages to combine distinct structure and unforgettable freshness. This wine is produced from Montepulciano grapes that have aged in stainless steel for an extended period of time. And since 2010, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo was the first denomination in Italy dedicated solely to the production of rosés.
Each of these products represent the culmination of the passion, tradition, and dedication of the Abruzzo communities, who are an invaluable commodity to be cherished and nurtured towards the preservation and development of the territory’s cultural identity.
Published: November 16, 2022
