Abruzzo

History

The cultivation of grapes in Abruzzo dates back to the Iron Age but it was with the Etruscans and other populations who followed that a massive cultivation of grapevines began. The wines from Abruzzo were sent to the tables of the Roman patricians during the rule of ancient Rome, where they were much appreciated.

Territory

Abruzzo is 65% mountainous and 35% hilly; the coast to the east overlooks the Adriatic Sea, which has an important temperature-calming effect. The most favorable growing conditions are reportedly found in the low hills of Teramo, the Colline Teramane, which was named a DOCG area, but up until now wines from this DOCG, aside being brutally jammy and tannic, have done very little to justify their DOCG qualification. Abruzzo soils are very varied, consisting mainly of sandstone, gypsum, and rocks from volcanic ash, with other areas richer in sandstone and clay-limestone soils. Many rivers that flow through the valleys all run into the Adriatic Sea and help create specific microclimates. Overall, the climate is Mediterranean in the area overlooking the sea and continental inland, with little rain on the coast and more abundant inside.

Throughout the region, Montepulciano is the king red grape, but Trebbiano Abruzzese is also very important and common. Among other white grapes cultivated in Abruzzo is Pecorino: one of the ‘hottest’ grape not just in the region but in whole peninsula. Luigi Cataldi Madonna has done much to foster knowledge and awareness of the variety and his is one of the best examples of the wine today: lemon drop, sage and rosemary, not unlike a Sauvignon Blanc wine. The majority of vineyards (90%) are found in the hilly areas (10% are mountain viticulture), 75% of which are in the Chieti province and the remainder situated in Pescara, Teramo and L’Aquila. Typical Abruzzo viticulture allows for pergolas or canopied vineyards, where the vines are trained upwards. This style accounts for approximately 80% of the vine-training methods employed. In Abruzzo there is one DOCG (Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane). Important DOCs are: Cerasuolo Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC and the white Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC, followed by the lesser-known Controguerra DOC.