Abruzzo is a region in central-southern Italy stretching from the heart of the Apennines to the Adriatic Sea, on a predominantly mountainous and wild terrain.
Provinces (4): Teramo (TE), Pescara (PE), Chieti (CH) and L’Aquila Province (AQ).
Grape varieties: Around half of Abruzzo’s vineyard is planted to the red Montepulciano grape. The white Trebbiano Abruzzese is also common, but Pecorino is gaining ground. Abruzzo’s Pecorino wines are usually made by direct pressing and are lighter than those made in Le Marche with skin contact.
DOCGs (1): Colline Teramane Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOCG (2003).
DOCs (10): Abruzzo DOC. | Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC (formerly Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Cerasuolo DOC or Cerasuolo Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC). | Controguerra DOC. | Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC. | Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC Sottozona Alto Tirino. | Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC Sottozona Casauria. | Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC SottozonaTeate. | Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC Sottozona Terre dei Peligni. | Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC Sottozona Terre dei Vestini. | Ortona DOC. | Pecorino d’Abruzzo DOC. | Terre Tollesi or Tullum DOC. | Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC. | Villamagna DOC.
IGTs (3): Colli Aprutini IGT. | Colli del Sangro IGT. | Colline Frentane IGT. | Colline Pescaresi IGT. | Colline Teatine IGT. | Del Vastese (or Histonium IGT. | Terre Aquilane IGT. | Terre di Chieti IGT.
Wineries
Certified Biodynamic: Lunaria Orsogna.
Certified organic: Cantina Tollo. | Torre Raione.
Bibliography
See Ian D’Agata, Native Wine Grapes of Italy (University of California Press, 2014).