There's stiff competition out there. So are the wines of Abruzzo any good?
As a first indication, we believe that around 65% of the production is sold across Italy, while 25% remains in the region. The final 10% is exported.
In the official classification of Italian DOC wines Montepulciano D'Abruzzo is in sixth place, behind Chianti, Asti, Oltrepò Pavese, Soave, and Valpolicella.
Some say the brand has benefited from confusion with Nobile di Montepulciano, but a steady annual increase in production over the last 15 years is no fluke.
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is made almost exclusively with grapes from vines of the same name, with the possible small addition of other grapes from recommended and/or authorized red grape vines.
The top of the range has a brilliant ruby red color and a dry, mellow, pungent, slightly tannic taste. It is a robust wine that ages well.
For all the information you need about Trebbiano d'Abruzzo and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo head to Ortona, the home of the regional wine center of Abruzzo or 'Enoteca Regionale d'Abruzzo'.
The center is open from 10am till 1pm then again in the evenings except Mondays.
Do seek out Montepulciano d'Abruzzo bearing the "Colline Teramane" mark which is made in the hilly land and the high plains in the province of Teramo using at least 90% Montepulciano grapes and a maximum of 10% Sangiovese grapes.
It has a unique, strong heavenly bouquet and a taste that is dry, full, and robust but at the same time harmonious and velvety.
Alternatively, if you would like to visit one of the cantinas or Azienda Agricola who produce the wine we have a list of contacts for over 30 producers in the province of Chieti, from the Azienda Agricola Agriverde in Caldari to the Vinicola Giandomenico in Villamagna. |
