Abruzzo 2 Flashcards
Where does Abruzzo rank in wine production?
3rd most productive
32,000 ha
3,000,000 hl
60% Red / 40% White
DOC/G (40%) / IGT (10%)
Who are Abruzzo’s most historic producers?
Valentini
Emidio Pepe
Masciarelli
What are Abruzzo’s most planted black and white grapes?
Montepulciano - 56%
Trebbiano Toscano - 18%
What is Abruzzo’s most famous rosato?
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo and considered Italy’s best
Who were the people to occupy Abruzzo before the Romans?
Aequi
Sannites
Piceni
Romans invaded in 3rd c BC - enhanced viticulture
Who took over after the Romans?
Lombards after the fall of the Roman Empire and became part of Duchy of Spoleto
Was independent between 9-12th c AD
Annexed by the Normans and incorporated into the Kingdom of Sicily, morphed into Kindom of Italy 19th c AD
How did phylloxera impact Abruzzo?
Wiped out most indigenous species and Montepulciano & Trebbianos were widely replanted
Where is Abruzzo located?
East - Central Italy along the Adriatic
How is Abruzzo divided topographically?
3 bands
Coast - gentle strip plains <1% (130m)
Middle - medium-altitude hills - 35%
West - large mountains - 65%
What are the mountains in Abruzzo?
Central Apennines
Massif of Gran Sasso in nother (3,000m)
Monti della Laga
Massif of Maiella - southern part
Many amphiltheater like mountain basis
Mountains rise steeply
What is the longest river in Abruzzo?
Aterno-Pecara River (the longest)
What are the rivers in Abruzzo?
Aterno-Pecara River (the longest)
Sangro River
Tordino River
Vomano River
Tronto River
What is the climate of Abruzzo?
Coast - Mediterranean
Middle Hills - Less Med influence
Mountains - similar to hills but at altitude Alpine cold winters, cool summers
Inland basins get warm summers
Vulnerable to cold Northereast winds
November is the rainiest month (snow in winter)
Where is one of the coldest places in Italy?
L’Aquila, Abruzzo
What soils can be found in Abruzzo?
Coast Hills - Sedimentary soils & marine origin
Middle Hills - marl and sandstone with high clay content
What are the 3 grapes that dominate Abruzzo?
Montepulciano (56%)
Trebbiano Toscano (18%)
Trebbiano Abruzzese (9%)
Account for 80%
What is the black / white percentage of grapes?
>60% Black
<40% white
How important are international varieties in Abruzzo?
Only 5%
What are noteworthy white grapes in Abruzzo?
Pecorino
Cococciola
Passerina
Montonico
What are bulk blending wines called
Vino da Taglio
Montepulciano
Native to Abruzzo
Deep Ruby Color, Full Body, High ABV, High Ripe Tannin
Overt Red Cherry, Plum Fruit
Late ripening and requires long growing season to fully ripen
Thick skin with resistance to Botrytis and Powdery Mildew
Can make well structured Rosatos thanks to High anthocyanin and pink juice Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo
Trebbiano Toscano
(Ugni Blanc)
Most widely planted white in Abruzzo, Toscana, Umbria, Puglia
Highly productive, ancient white grape
Light, Crisp, Neutral wines
Once used in Chianti (no longer)
Is prominent in Vin Santo
Trebbiano Abruzze
Potentially a native grape
Unrelated and distinct from other Trebbianos
Thought to be identical to Bombino Bianco and often planted together but TA is better quality
Listed in National Registry of Grapes 1990
White Flowers, Citrus, Stone Fruit, Nutty
Lively Acid
Need time in bottle to express character
Pecorino
in Abruzzo
Native to Marche
Usually produced under Abruzzo DOC and one IGT
Colline Teramane Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOCG
Was previously a sub-zone of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC but elevated in 2003
Lies on border with Marche and extends from Adriatic to foothills of Monti della Laga & Gran Sasso Massif
min 90% Montepulciano up to 10% Sangiovese
Aged 1 year - Riserva 3 years with 1 year in wood
Deep Color, Full Body, Powerful, Concentrated and High ABV
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC
Abruzzo’s 1st DOC (1968) & most productive
Virtually all of Abruzzo’s winegrowing area - mostly on coastal and middle hills (Marche to Molise) some on high altitude
Min 85% Montepulciano, 12% ABV
Riserva: 12.5% ABV, 2 years wood 9 months min oak
Powerful, Full Body, Tannic, Structured with age potential
What are Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC Subzones?
Casauri o Terre di Casauria - SW of Chieti along Aterno-Pecara river 100% Montepulciano
Terr dei Vestini - Pescara up foothills of Gran Sasso Massif 90% Montepulciano
Alto Trino - high-altitude SE foothills of Gran Sasso Massif 95% Montepulciano
Terre dei Peligni - high-altitude in Peligna Valley near Sulmona 95% Montepulciano
Teate - Pescara and Chieti to Molise border 90% Montepulciano
All can produce riservas (higher ABV and longer ageing)
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC
Rosato - named for cherry color
Was a subzone of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo until 2003
Covers all of Abruzzo’s designated winegrowing area
Savory, Complex, More Structured rosato
Deep Cherry-Pink color, Tanic grip, Bracing acidity
Best are age-worthy
min 85% Montepulciano
Can do superiore
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Historic and most important white wine in Abruzzo.
DOC covers all Abruzzo’s designated winegrowing
min 85% Trebbiano Abruzzese and/or Trebbiano Toscano and/or Bombino Bianco, min 11.5% ABV
Superiore - 12% ABV, lower yields
Riserve - 12.5% ABV with 18 months of ageing, lower yields
Different grapes means different range of styles and character
What is the difference between Trebbiano d’Abruzzo and Trebbiano Abruzzese
DOC versus grape
Abruzzo DOC
Entire wine region of Abruzzo (2010)
Allows the production of varietals from minor grapes with character
Pecorino (make distinctive)
Passerina
Cocociola
Montonico Bianca
Other styles: spumante, bianco, rosso, superiore, passito
What producer is know for Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC?
Valentini
Where are the majority of vineyards planted in Abruzzo?
Coastal and Middle Band
What DOCs in Abruzzo cover the entire winegrowing regions?
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Cerasuolo dAbruzzo
What do most of Abruzzo’s soils contain?
Clay
