Abruzzo is located halfway down the Italian peninsula, across the Apennine range east of Rome. Its capital is L’Aquila and its largest city is Pescara. In the wine world, Abruzzo is best known as the home of the Montepulciano grape. It has 2 DOCGs, 7 DOCs (see map on this page), and 8 IGPs.

In 2020, Abruzzo was down in production to less than 2.9 million hl (32.1 million cases) of wine after a few years above 3 million hl. About 58% of production is red and less than 30% is at the DOP level. The region had 32,685 has of vineyards in 2020. Its primary grape varieties are Montepulciano (57%) and Trebbiano (29%).

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Here’s a technical profile of the **Abruzzo wine region**, including an introduction:

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# **Abruzzo Wine Region – Technical Profile**

## **Introduction**

The Abruzzo wine region, located in central Italy along the Adriatic coast, is known for producing high-quality wines with a balance of tradition and innovation. With a mountainous interior and coastal plains, Abruzzo benefits from a diverse terroir that enhances the character of its wines. The region is particularly famous for **Montepulciano d’Abruzzo**, a bold red wine, and **Trebbiano d’Abruzzo**, a fresh and aromatic white. In recent years, there has been a growing focus on indigenous grape varieties and organic viticulture, further elevating Abruzzo’s reputation in the global wine market.

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## **Geographical & Climatic Overview**

- **Location:** Central Italy, along the Adriatic coast

- **Latitude:** 41° – 43° N

- **Topography:** Mountainous (Apennines), rolling hills, and coastal plains

- **Soil Types:** Clay, limestone, sandy, and alluvial deposits

- **Climate:** Mediterranean with continental influences in the interior

- Hot summers and mild winters along the coast

- Cooler temperatures in the mountainous areas

- Significant diurnal temperature variation, enhancing acidity and complexity in wines

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## **Key Grape Varieties & Wine Styles**

### **Red Varieties**

1. **Montepulciano** – Deep color, medium to high tannins, dark fruit, and spice notes.

- **Flagship Wines:** Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane DOCG

2. **Sangiovese** – Often blended, adding acidity and structure.

### **White Varieties**

1. **Trebbiano (Trebbiano Abruzzese & Trebbiano Toscano)** – Light-bodied, floral, and crisp.

- **Flagship Wine:** Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC

2. **Pecorino** – High acidity, minerality, and citrus-driven.

3. **Passerina** – Delicate, floral, with stone fruit aromas.

### **Rosé (Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC)**

- Produced mainly from **Montepulciano**, offering fresh red fruit flavors, medium body, and vibrant acidity.

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## **Denominations & Classification**

### **DOCGs (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita)**

- **Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane DOCG** (Elevated in 2003)

- Strict yield controls, aging requirements (min. 2 years, 1 in wood).

### **DOCs (Denominazione di Origine Controllata)**

- **Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC** (One of Italy’s most widely recognized DOCs)

- **Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC**

- **Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC** (Rosé with deep color and structure)

- **Controguerra DOC** (Diverse styles: reds, whites, and sparkling)

### **IGTs (Indicazione Geografica Tipica)**

- **Terre di Chieti IGT** (Covers a wide range of experimental and international varietals)

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## **Viticulture & Winemaking Practices**

- **Traditional Training Systems:**

- **Pergola Abruzzese (Tendone System):** Widely used, providing shade and maximizing yield.

- **Guyot & Spurred Cordon:** Increasingly adopted for higher-quality wines.

- **Harvest Period:**

- Early to mid-September for whites

- Late September to October for Montepulciano

- **Winemaking Trends:**

- Focus on **sustainable and organic farming**

- Increased use of **French and Slavonian oak** for aging

- **Minimal intervention and natural winemaking** gaining popularity

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## **Market & Export**

- **Key Markets:** USA, Germany, UK, Canada, Japan

- **Export Growth:** Montepulciano d’Abruzzo remains one of Italy’s most exported red wines.

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