Italy - Abruzzo

Question 1

What are the two generalisations from climate in Abruzzo?

Answer 1

Hillside vineyards with a warm continental climate, and the coastal zone with a warm Mediterranean climate.

Question 2

What is the general climate of the hillside vineyards under the Apennines?

Answer 2

Cold, snowy winters and warm, short summers with cooling influences from the mountains.
These cooling influences result in a longer season for ripening grapes, with sugar accumulation being slowed and greater time being allowed for aroma and flavour development.
Risks are of late spring frosts and rain around harvest.

Question 3

What is the general climate of the coastal zone?

Answer 3

Warm Mediterranean.
Lower risk of spring frosts and harvest rains.
Temperatures are higher and soils are more fertile, making the region more suitable for high volume production.

Question 4

What has been common vine training in Abruzzo?

Answer 4

Planting densities used to be low (2500 vines per hectare), and pergola typical. (High yielding allowances led to a significant amount of wines with medium to low concentration).
Quality has begun to rise with denser planting, newer forms of training and lower yields.

Question 5

What types of vineyard management is typical in the two regions of Abruzzo?

Answer 5

Coastal: cordon trained spur pruned or Guyot, allowing mechanisation.
Hillsides: mostly by hand, though some can use tractors to work the land. Harvesting is by hand.

Question 6

What is the breakdown of plantings in Abruzzo?

Answer 6

Montepulciano 55%
Trebbiano Toscano 18%
Trebbiano Abruzzese 5%
Chardonnay 3%
Sangiovese 3%
Pecorino 3%