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 Abruzzo Wine
Lanciano vines - Photo © Antonio Dell'Elce
Abruzzo, which
is two-thirds mountains and one-third hills, boasts highly favorable natural
conditions for grapevines. Abruzzo's growers favor the predominant Montepulciano and
Trebbiano, while growing some highly productive vines (the region has Italy's
highest average yields) for bulk wines and table grapes, and experimenting in an
increasingly convincing way with outside varieties.
The four DOC produced in Abruzzo are the Contro Guerra, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo,
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and the DOCG Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane.
The last two should not be confused with the Tuscan Vino Nobile di
Montepulciano. While the Tuscan one takes its name from the town where
it’s made in the province of Siena, the Abruzzo wine is made with a
grape named Montepulciano.
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Abruzzo Wines:
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I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Abruzzo Region
An article by: Levi Reiss ©
Abruzzo devotes about eighty two thousand acres to grapevines, it
ranks 10th among the 20 Italian regions. Its total annual wine
production is about 110 million gallons, giving it a 5th place. About
90% of the wine production is red or rose' (not very much rose'), leaving
10% for white...
Wine Reviewed
Abruzzo Illuminati Montepulciano d’Abruzzo “Riparosso” 2004 DOC
13% alcohol about $11.50
The marketing materials state that this wine has hints of an Amarone (a
much more expensive wine) or a Ripasso ( a more expensive wine). There
are raisings, currants, and tar on the nose whilst the taste profile is
ripe, mellow fruit flavors of raspberry jam and ocha. It doesn’t contain
a lot of acidity so drink it within a year. Pair it with pizza, burgers,
or any meat dish that you tend to eat during the week.
This wine is said to complement pasta, red meats, and savory cheeses.
I found the Riparosso to be somewhat robust, with cherry and plum
flavors. I didn’t have the feeling that I was drinking a regular
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, but instead almost a Ripasso, a wine that I
prefer. This wine managed to feel full-bodied even with its light
tannins... read the full article...
Wine Italy
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