Abruzzo Flashcards
Name 7 wine regions within Central Italy.
Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Marche, Umbria, Lazio, Abruzzo, Molise
What are the two key wines of Abruzzo?
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
The position of Abruzzo within the wine industry of central and southern Italy
Abruzzo rivals Tuscany as the third most productive region of southern and central Italy (i.e. densely planted.)
Desribe the topography of Abruzzo and the role played by the mountains.
Most mountainous region of central and southern Italy; mountains comprise 2/3’s of the region; also 1/3 hills [a reverse of the ration in Marche]
The role of Montepulciano within Abruzzo
most important grape; native; represents over half of the total vineyard area
Abruzzo’s three principal grapes
Montepulciano, Trebbiano Toscano, Trebbiano Abruzzese
What is the difference between the grape, Montepulciano, the town, Montepulciano and the wine, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
Montepulciano is a medieval and Renaissance hill town in the province of Siena in southern Tuscany. Montepulciano is a grape native to Abruzzo. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is an historic wine made from a Sangiovese clone.
The difficulties in identifying Trebbiano Abruzzese
Confused with Trebbiano Toscano and Bombnio Bianco, the three were often co-planted.
What are the four “need to know” grape varieties in Abruzzo?
Montepulciano, Trebbiano Toscano, Trebbiano Abruzzese, Pecorino
Abruzzo’s traditional vine training system
Pergola Abruzzese, variant of tendone, but modern training is with Guyot and Cordone Speronata
What are the two main types of wine produced from the Montepulciano grape?
dry red and rose (cerasuolo)
What are the reasons for the variation in style and quality levels within Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC?
It encompasses the entire winegrowing aera of Abruzzo with varying altitude and climates.
What are the reasons for the variation in style and quality levels within Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC?
due to the three different grapes allowed in the blend plus the wide and diverse winegrowing area, character, quality and style vary across the DOC
The grape varieties and principal wine styles of the “need to know” appellations
Where are the “need to know” appellations situated within Abruzzo?
Most of the important appellations are regional covering almost all of the winegrowing areas of the region; the exception is Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Colline Teramane along the Marche border within province of Teramo, extending from sea to highest mountain.
What were the first historic tribes in Abruzzo?
Aequi, Samnites, Piceni
What was the first civilization to emphasize viticulture in Abruzzo?
Romans that arrived in mid-3rd century BCE
When was Abruzzo independent?
between 9th and 12th centuries after periods of control by Romans, Lombards and the Duchy of Spoleto
Who controlled Abruzzo after independence?
Kingdom of Sicily,
Kingdom of Naples
Kingdom of the Two Sicilies
Kingdom of Italy (1861)
What had the biggest effect on viticulture diversity in Abruzzo?
Phylloxera reduced diversity
What are the regions bordering Abruzzo?
Marche, Lazio, Molise