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
What is the capital of Abruzzo? What is the climate there?
L’Aquila, one of the coldest cities in Italy.
What is the most mountainous region in Central and Southern Italy?
Abruzzo, 2/3 mountain, 1/3 hills
What are the soils of the coastal hills of Abruzzo?
sedimentary soils, most are high in clay content.
What are the soils of the middle band of hills in Abruzzo?
Marl and sandstone soils with a high clay content
Name the important rivers in Abruzzo.
Sangro, Tordino, Vomano, Tronto
What is the mix of white and red grapes in Abruzzo?
> 60% of grapes are red, mostly Montepulciano
What minor grape in Abruzzo is cultivated in larger amounts recently?
Pecorino
What is the relationship between Montepulciano and botrytis and downy mildew
it is resistant due to thick skin
What is the most widely planted white grape in
Abruzzo?
Trebbiano Toscano [trick!]
What is the origin of the Montepulciano grape?
Most likely native to Abruzzo.
Compare the quality of Bombino Bianco, Trebbiano Abruzzese and Trebbiano Toscano
Trebbiano Abruzzese is considered highest quality.
What is the origin of the Pecorino grape?
southern part of Marche (near Abruzzo)
Where does Pecorino grow best?
at high altitude [with the sheep in the mountains!]
How much of the wine from Abruzzo is labeled DOC/DOCG?
40%
Name the DOCG’s in Abruzzo?
One, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Termane, originally a sub-zoneof Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC
Where is Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Termane DOCG located?
northern part of Abruzzo along the sea and extending to Gran Sasso Massif.
What is the blending formula Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Termane DOCG?
a minimum of 90% Montepulciano and remainer Sangiovese
What is the ageing requirement for Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Termane DOCG?
one year, 3 years for riserva
What was Abruzzo’s first DOC?
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC
What is the blending formula Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC?
at least 85% Montepulciano
What are requirements for riserva of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC?
2 years of ageing (9 months in wood) and 12.5% abv (compared to 12%)
How many sub-zones are in Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC?
5
What does Cerasuolo mean?
rose wine in Abruzzo, Cerasuolo, means “cherry,” in Italian {not to be confused with Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG in Sicilia]
What are tasting characteristics of Ceraasuolo d’Abruzzo?
savory, complex, more structured style of rosato
What is the blending formula Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC?
At least 85% Montepulciano (like Montelpulciano d’Abruzzo DOC to which it overlaps)
What is an alternate style of Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC?
superiore, 12.5% abv
Name 3 nearly overlapping DOC’s in Abruzzo.
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
What is the difference between Trebbiano Abruzzese and Trebbiano d’Abruzzo?
First is grape, second is DOC.
Montepulciano is particularly resistent to what disease?
downy mildew due to thick skin
What is the highest mountain in Abruzzo?
Gran Sasso Massif
Where is Gran Sasso Massif located.
Abruzzo
How does Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo differ from other rosatos?
It is savory, complex and more structured.
What is the significance of Terre di Chieti?
one of the most popular Abruzzo IGT’s, especially for varietal Pecorino (Umani Ronchi)
