Provinces: L'Aquila, Chieti, Pescara, Teramo
Abruzzi is a major producer of wine with volumes that
exceed those of the entire nations of Austria or Chile
or Hungary or Greece, yet the region isn’t as well
known as it deserves to be. Beyond quantity, a growing
number of wines prove the quality potential of the hills
between the Adriatic Sea and the highest peaks of the
Apennines in the Gran Sasso range near the regional capital
of L’Aquila.
The predominant varieties are Montepulciano
(not to be confused with the town of that name in Tuscany)
and Trebbiano, source of the regionwide D.O.C.s. Montepulciano
d’Abruzzo combines robust power with finesse in
wines that have been winning increasing praise from the
critics. Montepulciano’s cherry-pink version called
Cerasuolo can also be impressive. Trebbiano d’Abruzzo,
though usually light and breezy, can provide surprises
from certain producers.
The recent addition of Controguerra
to the D.O.C. list has provided alternatives to producers
in the northern part of the region with a range of red,
white, dry, sweet and sparkling wines from varieties
as diverse as the native Passerina and Ciliegiolo and
the recently introduced Cabernet, Chardonnay and Riesling.
Useful contacts:
Regione Abruzzo - A.R.S.S.A. - Piazza Torlonia, 91 -
Avezzano (AQ) - Tel.: 0039 0863 5021 Fax: 0039 9863 502400 http://www.arssa.abruzzo.it
Movimento del Turismo del Vino - C/o A.R.S.S.A. Via S.
Camillo de Lellis, 16 - Chieti - Tel.: 0039 0871 63538
fax: 0039 0871 63680 - http://www.wineday.org |
