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WINES OF CENTRAL ITALY
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Abruzzo
Before being conquered by the Romans, Abruzzo was inhabited by the Italic people, of which one
particularly pugnacious tribe was the Samnites. The tribe fought against Roman rule so fiercely that
when Rome finally conquered the area they named it Samnium in honor of the Samnites. After their
conquest, the Romans established the first series of roads in the area and added luxuries such as spas
and amphitheaters. Many elements of Tuscan Renaissance architecture can be seen in the churches
and cathedrals of the area.
Until 1963, Molise and Abruzzo were combined into a single territory known as Abruzzi. The western
part of the Abruzzo is dominated by the Appenine Mountains. This part of the mountain range offers
slopes ideal for skiers and campers. The eastern Abruzzo has miles of coastline along the Adriatic Sea
offering some of Italy’s best beaches.
Abruzzo boasts a single DOCG—Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane—but is far more widely
known for its DOC-level Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. The Montepulciano grape produces large yields
of ripe fruit. Rosato versions of Montepulciano are bottled under the term cerasuolo. For several
years, the perception of Abruzzese wine suffered due to the massive production figures from a
geographically small area. High-quality wines from this area, on the other hand, can exhibit a mineralic
component because of the calcareous clay soils that cover the area.
Wines of Central Italy