Abruzzo

The wine production in Abruzzo is particularly concentrated around a few known grapes: Montepulciano, Trebbiano Abruzzese and Trebbiano Toscano. Above all in the first case, the presence of Montepulciano is so “bulky” that, frequently, this region is associated exclusively with the huge productions of the homonymous red wine, very often without denomination of origin. In this regard and luckily, there are more interesting and multifaceted interpretations of this grape variety, such as Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane DOCG, made in the surroundings of Giulianova, the simpler Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC, or the most refined Villamagna DOC.

In the northern part of the region, on the borders with the Marche, the designation Controguerra DOC protects (besides the ever present Montepulciano) some interesting native white grape varieties such as Cococciola, Passerina and Pecorino.

In the southern part, in the province of Chieti, Ortona DOC and Terre Tollesi DOC are two small denominations that aim to differentiate for the quality of the offer, taking distance from the large regional designations such as Abruzzo DOC and Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOC.

A special mention deserves Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC, a designation exclusively focused on the rosé vinification of Montepulciano, whose production is permitted throughout the region.