The Abruzzo region is among the top six wine-growing regions in Italy in terms of production volume. It is considered the green lung of Italy as, in addition to being home to three important and famous national parks, it has a rich biodiversity, thanks to the alternating presence of the imposing peaks of the Apennines and the Adriatic coast. Vines have settled in the narrow strip between the two areas, on the gentle hills that overlook the sea and have a mountain feel, giving birth to very well-balanced wines. However, the grape is also cultivated on the lower slopes of the Apennines, in more extreme conditions, producing wines with a strong mountain character, but also on the coastal strip, where warm, Mediterranean interpretations are produced. The main protagonists of this rich landscape heritage are the great Montepulciano and Trebbiano grapes: the first one being the star of the region and the emperor of the Adriatic coast, while the second gives life to some of the most prestigious white wine interpretations in Italy.
The Abruzzo region is among the top six wine-growing regions in Italy in terms of production volume. It is considered the green lung of Italy as, in addition to being home to three important and famous national parks, it has a rich biodiversity, thanks to the alternating presence of the imposing peaks of the Apennines and the Adriatic coast. Vines have settled in the narrow strip between the two areas, on the gentle hills that overlook the sea and have a mountain feel, giving birth to very well-balanced wines. However, the grape is also cultivated on the lower slopes of the Apennines, in more extreme conditions, producing wines with a strong mountain character, but also on the coastal strip, where warm, Mediterranean interpretations are produced. The main protagonists of this rich landscape heritage are the great Montepulciano and Trebbiano grapes: the first one being the star of the region and the emperor of the Adriatic coast, while the second gives life to some of the most prestigious white wine interpretations in Italy.
The Abruzzo region is an evocative, rich and generous land, stretched out and enclosed by the Adriatic Sea and the Apennines. It is in this small region that the highest peaks of the central-southern Italian mountain chain stand tall: the imposing Gran Sasso and Majella. They are home to the southernmost glaciers of the continent and to several important protected areas. The four large national/regional parks are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, which has made the region one of the largest in terms of protected areas. As one might expect, the region is characterised by a high percentage of mountainous areas (65%), while the rest is marked by rolling hills that reach all the way to the coastline. This is precisely why the climates are completely different and quite opposite: while in the mountains one breathes the freshness and purity of the air, near the Adriatic there is a strong marine influence, leading to warmer, Mediterranean climatic conditions. In this small green hilly area, tucked between the sea and the mountains, vines have been cultivated since ancient times. This is a terroir of rare beauty, in which the strong temperature ranges, the mountain and marine influences, the prestigious terrain (sometimes sandy and sometimes rocky) and the fertility of the soil due to the presence of numerous rivers have led to the qualitative success of Abruzzo wines. This success is also thanks to true wineries of reference, such as Valentini, which produces more than 50,000 bottles a year, the monumental Emidio Pepe and the symbolic Masciarelli. These wineries have given new qualitative vigour to Abruzzo production, which in the past was considered a reservoir of low-priced, quantitative production, and this has been achieved through increasingly sophisticated wines characterised by quality and respect for the environment. And here, in this wild and neglected land, there is something for all tastes and styles: modern or old-fashioned, macerated or easy to drink, simple or full-bodied, Mediterranean or mountainous, versatile or meditative; these are Italian wines that are able to portray, like few others, this glorious and marvellous corner of the Italian peninsula.
Travelling from north to south, one comes across territories that are geographically or morphologically very different. On the border with the Marche region there is the small area of Controguerra that produces single-variety wines based on international grapes such as Merlot and Cabernet but also includes, in addition to red wine, interpretations that are typically more tied to the territory such as Passerina or Pecorino. Just below, there is the vast area of the Teramo hills, connecting the Gran Sasso mountain to the Adriatic towns, from Giulianova to Silvi Marina. Montepulciano red wine is the embodiment of this territory, which with its generous, vigorous, noble and profound character is capable of reflecting its moods and aspects. However, there is no shortage of white wines such as Passerina, Pecorino and Trebbiano. Proceeding southwards is the Pescara area, divided between Terra dei Vestini and Casauria. This is where the real artisanal movement began, paving the way for the region's success. Spontaneous fermentation, organic approaches and biodynamic philosophies have made it possible to create faithfully territorial expressions. From rocky to sandy soils in the space of a few kilometres, the wine produced in Abruzzo all have a very different character. Montepulciano plays the role of king of the reds while Trebbiano is the queen of the whites. The enclave of Loreto Aprutino deserves particular mention as it is one of the most prestigious and important areas of the entire peninsula. Interesting, fresh and mountainous expressions are produced in the Peligna Valley in the province of L'Aquila, home to Montepulciano and its rose version Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo. In the province of Chieti lies the largest production area, the Teate, where more than 80% of the region's production occurs. Over the years, large cooperatives have changed their quantitative approach, moving towards a high-quality offering that emphasises native and international grape varieties, linked to the region's long tradition.
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