The merit of Abruzzo wine production it is known and appreciated throughout Italy. It is told with wines of peculiarity quality that brighten the table accompanying the delicacy of delicious traditional dishes.
The territory cultivated with grapes in Abruzzo it is concentrated for the most part (58%) in hilly areas of the coast , followed by the internal hilly areas (38%) and, finally, a very small part of mountainous territory (4%).
The coast hill has the advantage of being sheltered from humid air thanks to the protection of the giants of Gran Sasso, of the Maiella, of the Monti della Laga . His dry soil thus joins a absolutely favorable climate to the cultivation of fine grapes to give life to reds, white and rosé which are a true national excellence.
The vines grown in Abruzzo
The Abruzzo vines are for the most part autochthonous . Among these, the most famous is, of course, the Montepulciano , black berried, with its bunches of medium size and its effective resistance to the action of parasites.
It is grown throughout the region, but in particular, the production should be remembered of the hilly area of province of Teramo which offers a particularly suitable terrain and which has been awarded the mark DOCG . It is raised marquee , but also espalier and five-lobed leaf . Another grape variety autochthonous of Teramo , but currently grown throughout the region, is the grape variety Passerina and in this territory the Trebbiano .
In the mountainous area, in the Gran Sasso area , the vine is cultivated Montonico , with its typical cluster of elongated shape and very compact. Its origins, however, are uncertain and one cannot speak with absolute certainty of a native vine.
In the Chieti area , instead, we find an exclusive: the vine Cococciola , white berried, which is characterized by having excellent adaptability both to the soil and to the climate. Its grapes were used in the past in assembly , in particular with Trebbiano, but currently it is also processed in purity giving rise to an excellent wine.
The Pecorino cheese , a white grape variety, is, on the other hand, indigenous to the Marches, but has found in the Abruzzo region and climate suitable conditions to its diffusion and to the production of a high quality white . Another non-indigenous grape is the Sangiovese and as regards the international ones, the vines should be remembered Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Red wine from Abruzzo
The Abruzzo red wine has as its absolute protagonist the Montepulciano : branded DOC , in 2003 its production of the territory of the hills of Teramo has had the recognition of DOCG .
The Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is characterized by its character vinous , thus communicating a typical cellar perfume . Its famous and appreciated intensity is revealed to the eye in an immediate way thanks to ruby red color which can take on different tones depending on its aging: intense for young wines and with garnet shades for more mature wines.
It is a wine stopped which reveals itself on the palate dry, intense, persistent, particularly structured , as well as communicating perfect harmony. From the point of view olfactory , offers a very interesting range that includes fruity tones , including those of plum and sour cherry, floral tones for young wine and after aging in cask they are added spicy tones .
The intensity that comes from its aging makes it perfect for food pairings equally determined. Therefore, it accompanies dishes such as cooked sheep , seconds of Red meat and of pig , the skewers .
As for the first dishes , favors elaborate preparations such as lasagna or spaghetti alla guitar with pellets . Perfect for a platter of cured meats and aged cheeses , is also used as ingredient in some recipes, including that of Lamb cace e ove .
Read also: 10 things you need to know about Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
White wine from Abruzzo
The Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC it is a dry white wine. The Trebbiano D’Abruzzo DOC reserve and the Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Superiore DOC .
His colour straw yellow in the glass it takes on different nuances which may derive from the aging period to which it is subjected. The young wine has, in fact, one intense yellow hue with green tones which, however, disappear when it becomes more mature or in the case in which it is worked in such a way as to characterize it with a more decisive structure.
On the nose offers a range of medium intensity and rather cool , which refers to tones fruity which report to the Apple it’s at floral tones which, instead, tell the scent of flowers of field . In case it gets done refine in the wooden barrel , buy other shades, including one vanilla note .
It has a structure generally not too strong and good persistence . On the palate it is told with its typical characteristic of dry wine and with his freshness , peculiarities that, when young, make it suitable for food pairings which stand out for a certain delicacy .
A glass of Trebbiano is perfect for the aperitif and for the appetizer , to accompany fresh cheeses and slightly seasoned . The perfect dishes for this wine are those fish based , the soups , the soup , the risotto , the seconds with shellfish or with raw fish , the vegetable soups .
In its more mature version , on the other hand, goes well with the White meat , with the Scrippelle ‘mbusse , i Fiadoni and with cheeses of concrete intensity such as Pecorino di Farindola .
Read also: 10 things you need to know about Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
Rosé wine from Abruzzo
The Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC it’s a Rosé wine whose high quality is well known and appreciated nationally. It is obtained give her grapes of the Montepulciano vine which, however, have an anticipated harvesting time compared to the production of the red wine.
The techniques of its processing can be two: one is that of white vinification , the other is to leave it cold macerate for up to 12 hours. The refinement process to which, then, it is subjected is the one thanks to which the wine acquires the color, flavor and scent that distinguish it.
The main feature of the Cerasuolo , visually speaking, it is, of course, his Red Cherry which can be particularly bright and intense. It is a wine well structured than from the point of view aromatic offers fruity hints who see privileging those of cherry, strawberry, red fruits.
In the background there is a almond tone which underlines a peculiar one elegance . On the palate it is told in a pleasant, harmonious and fresh way .
It can be considered a versatile wine from the point of view of his own food pairings depending on the importance of its structure. The Cerasuolo , basically, it is an excellent wine to accompany dishes based on fish , from the classic soup with appetizers, seafood first and second courses , or cheeses with a delicate flavor or also White meat .
If, on the other hand, it has characteristics of higher intensity , also goes well with i stronger flavors of cured meats: from Ventricina , both from Vasto and Teramo, to the excellent Mortadella di Campotosto.
Read also: 10 things you need to know about Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo