Story: Abruzzo | Wine region
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The landscape of Abruzzo resembles that of Marche in its incomparable beauty. The only difference is that it is much more mountainous in large parts, because the Apennines rise to their highest peak there in the Gran Sasso massif. Visitors to the region are offered dishes that are carefully prepared in a traditional, home-style manner. And every host takes pride in pointing out the authenticity of the products that the land and sea provide to the inhabitants. Thus, a rural, earthy tradition has shaped the natural cuisine of this region.

Abruzzo lies between the central Apennines and the Adriatic Sea and is partly characterized by high mountains such as Gran Sasso, the highest peak in the Apennines. Apart from a few areas in the lower Abruzzo, the region combines the advantages of sufficient rainfall and long hours of sunshine with a sufficiently mild climate. The significant mountain ranges cause sufficient air currents and limit temperature fluctuations. Cereals and potatoes are among the important agricultural products of Abruzzo, alongside wine, of course. Olive groves stretch along a wide strip along the Adriatic coast. Abruzzo suffered particularly badly from the phylloxera plague, and it was not until the 1960s that viticulture was truly restored. The region's most important wine, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, is also enjoying increasing popularity abroad as a full-bodied yet velvety red wine.

Introduction and brief history
Abruzzo (Italian: Abruzzo) is a little-known but historically very important wine region in central/southern Italy, located between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea. Winegrowing there dates back to ancient times, when the Etruscans and Romans already cultivated vines. For centuries, viticulture remained primarily regional, but in recent decades the region has experienced a renaissance: winegrowers began to focus on quality rather than quantity, slowly reviving high-quality specialties.

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Geographical features, climate, and wine-growing areas
Abruzzo stretches from the high mountains of the Apennines (including the Gran Sasso massif, which is over 2,900 meters high) to the Adriatic coast. This topography results in a very diverse terroir: vineyards are located partly by the sea and partly at altitudes of up to 600 meters. The climate is strongly influenced by temperature fluctuations between day and night, which benefits the vines. At the same time, sufficient rainfall and plenty of sunshine ensure good ripening conditions.

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Commonly cultivated grape varieties and why
The dominant red grape variety in the region is Montepulciano. This grape requires a lot of sun and a long ripening period, which is easily achievable in the sunny locations of Abruzzo. Trebbiano d'Abruzzo is particularly important among the white grape varieties. In addition, indigenous varieties such as Pecorino, Passerina, and Cococciola are becoming increasingly important. Pecorino, for example, is an old, early-ripening variety with low yields but characteristic acidity and fruitiness.

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Noteworthy wines or wine specialties
One flagship wine is, of course, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, which comes in many varieties—from simple everyday wines to full-bodied riservas. Another typical product is Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo, a strong rosé that also comes from Montepulciano grapes. White wines such as Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOC have a subtle but elegant fruitiness and pleasant acidity. In addition, the newer indigenous varieties have found their way into modern DOC and IGT wines: Pecorino and Passerina, for example, can be found in Abruzzo DOC. - Gerardo [TS12/25]