IT - Central Italy / Abruzzo

Answer 1

Underrated region, politically & socially more part of the south.

Climate

Warm Mediterranean climate w dry hot summers & precipitations mostly in the winter.

Topography

South of Le marche; Mountainous region w hills descending to the Adriatic coastline; Calcareous clay soils

Answer 2

Reds (% of production)

1. Montepulciano
2. Vigorous red grape that ripens late
3. Deep-coloured w ripe, robust tannins & med acidity

Whites (85% of production)

1. Trebbiano d’Abruzzo aka Bombino bianco
2. Ripens late and yields extremely high quantities
3. Neutral wines

Others: Trebbiano, Pecorino, RieslingOthers: Cerasuolo (Rosé), Cabernet, Sangiovese

Answer 3

o35,000ha for 21% for DOC wine & 3.5m hl/yr production – Italy’s #7 biggest region

Tendone system + high yields contribute to high volumes but lower quality wines

Answer 4

6th DOC producer thanks to generous yields (100hl/ha); 80% of production by cooperatives (e.g. Cantina Tollo)

1. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – 7,500ha (R)
2. DOC covers most of the coast and up the hills from Pescara; min 85%
3. 2 styles: young, robust fruity & best drunk young or deep-coloured w ripe, robust tannins

oGianni Masciarelli produces 1.1m btls of some the best wines around incl. the Villa Gemma M. d’Abruzzo

2. Trebbiano d’Abruzzo (W)
3. Slightly smaller area vs. the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC; made from Bombino grape (≠ Trebbiano)