As mysterious and confusing as Italy’s viticulture can be, the Abruzzo offers rare and refreshing simplicity. This mountainous region with favorable growing conditions offers DOC and classified wines based on Montepulciano and Trebbiano, which remain the varietals of choice. Montepulciano is not to be confused with the town of the same name in Tuscany that is known for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Abruzzo’s Montepulciano grape is deserving of greater distinction than it currently holds as it provides a wide variety of wine from light, refreshing ros?s and reds to reds of excellent character that are full bodied and robust with a decent capacity for aging.
Historically the Abruzzesi were able to defy several attempted rulers from the Greeks and Romans to the Swabians and Bourbons but Spanish influence from the south remains evident. In fact, Abruzzo shares more similarities with the south than with the neighboring north and west. Viticulturally, Abruzzo is much like Apulia in that quantity was historically more prevalent than quality.
Abruzzo’s sunny hills, however, lend it perfectly to the cultivation of many of Italy’s noble varietals. Sangiovese is second to Montepulciano and is blended more often than not. Experimentation is currently underway with Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio and Riesling. This region is dominated by the Apennine Mountains, which physically separate Abruzzo from Lazio and Umbria in the west. The Tronto River separates the Marches to the north. Climate varies from cool and damp in the higher interior to warm and dry along the Adriatic coastline.
Abruzzo, not unlike the rest of Italy, is home to many artistic treasures scattered throughout the region. Skiing and hiking are popular attractions as is Abruzzo’s national park. The region’s wines can be enjoyed in the entire Adriatic resorts from those set high in the mountain cliffs to others that dot the coastline.
