Media Observations on the Abruzzi

Wine Spectator online, April 2009

More and more wineries in Italy’s Montepulciano d’Abruzzo appellation are making clean, rich, modern-styled reds as they move away from the
area’s trend of cheap and rustic wines. Abruzzo is a vast vineyard area in southeast Italy which has long been an important producer of grapes
used for “enriching” wines from regions farther north in the country.

Robert Parker online, April 2009

Abruzzo is one of my favorite regions in Southern Italy. The wines are not only delicious, but in many cases remain reasonably priced as well.
Montepulciano is the main red variety, and the best of the more modern-styled wines are incredibly appealing.

Best of all, Montepulciano is a great food wine. Trebbiano is the main white grape in Abruzzo, and while the best examples can be delicious (and also age well) they are few and far between. Lastly, Abruzzo is home to Cerasuolo, which is possibly Italy’s most consistently outstanding appellation for superb, pedigreed rose.

J. Robinson, The Oxford Companion to Wine.

In a nutshell: Good-value and improving reds. Mountainous region in central Italy with a significant coastline on the Adriatic sea to the south of Marches and an important producer of wine. Having overtaken Piedmont, Tuscany, and Latium recently, the Abruzzi is fifth among Italy’s regions
in terms of production. Good wine is produced in the Abruzzi.

Fine, often keenly priced Montepulciano has long been produced in such townships as Brecciarola, Citta Sant’Angelo, Controguerra, Loreto Aprutino, Tocco da Casauria, Torano Nuovo, and Vasto. Better Trebbiano d’Abruzzo is a pleasurable, if not memorable, wine.