Abruzzo Wine Region Of Italy (10 Best Bottles, Prices)

Located in central Italy, Abruzzo is a world-renowned wine region bordering the Adriatic Sea. Its immediate neighbors are Le Marche, Lazio, and Molise.

Abruzzo produces a dazzling array of wines, the most famous of which are Montepulciano-based red and Rose wines and white Trebbiano wines. 

In this article, we’ll cover the Abruzzo wine region’s main appellations and their wine styles. We’ll also take a look at the top 10 Abruzzo bottles to buy, food pairings, terroir, investment opportunities, and history.

The Abruzzo Wine Region DOCs and Main Wine Styles

Here are the seven Abruzzo DOCs and the delicious wine styles:

• Controguerra DOC
• Montepulciano dAbruzzo DOC
• Colline Teramane DOCG
• Trebbiano dAbruzzo DOC
• Villamagna DOC
• Terre Tollesi DOC
• Ortona DOC

1. Controguerra DOC

Created in 1996, the Controguerra DOC is located in the Teramo province and produces a variety of still and sparkling wines:

• White wines: Usually blends of 60–70% Trebbiano Toscano, 15% Passerina, and 25% other local white varieties
• Red wines: Made from at least 60% Montepulciano, 15% Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and 25% other local varieties
• Sparkling wines: Made from 60% Trebbiano Toscano and at least 30% Chardonnay, Verdicchio, and Pecorino, and 10% other local grapes

The appellation also produces Passito, Vino Novello, and single varietal Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chardonnay, Ciliegiolo and Pinot Nero wines. 

2. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC

Created in 1968, the Montepulciano dAbruzzo DOC only produces red and Rose wines. 

These wines must contain a minimum of 85% Montepulciano and up to 15% of the Sangiovese grape. However, most of these wines are usually 100% Montepulciano.

Here are some of the DOC’s additional regulations:

• The harvest yield can’t exceed 14 tonnes per hectare.
• The wine must be aged for at least five months. 
• Bottles labeled Riserva should be aged for at least two years (including a minimum of nine months in wooden barrels).
• The alcohol level for all wines must be no lower than 12%. 

3. Colline Teramane DOCG

The Colline Termane DOC was created in 1995 and was granted DOCG status in 2003.

The wines here are produced from grapes grown across the 30 communes of Teramo Province and must contain at least 90% Montepulciano and a maximum of 10% of the Sangiovese grape. 

The region’s harvest, ABV, and aging regulations are identical to those of the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC.

4. Trebbiano dAbruzzo DOC

Trebbiano dAbruzzo is a white wine DOC that was created in 1972.

The wines are made from at least 85% Trebbiano d'Abruzzo (Bombino Bianco)  and Trebbiano Toscano and up to 15% Malvasia Toscano, Cococciola, and Passerina.

These wines must be aged for a minimum of five months and have an alcohol level of at least 11.5%.

5. Villamagna DOC

Established in 2011, this Abruzzo DOC produces red wines made from at least 95% Montepulciano grapes: 

• Rosso wines: These red wines must be aged for a minimum of 10 months and have an alcohol level of 13%.
• Riserva wines: These red wines must be aged for a minimum of 24 months and have an alcohol level of 13.5%.

6. Terre Tollesi DOC

The Terre Tollesi DOC was created in 2008 and permits a wide range of grape varieties. But it mainly grows Chardonnay, Passerina, Pecorino, and the Montepulciano grape.

Additionally, the wine production in this area is quite diverse and includes sparklers, red wines, and white wines.

• White wines: Must contain at least 90% Passerina or Pecorino
• Red wines: Made with a minimum of 95% Montepulciano
• Sparkling wines: Made from at least 60% Chardonnay

7. Ortona DOC

This Abruzzo DOC was created in 2011. Its wine production includes both white and red wines.

• White wines: Must have a minimum of 70% Trebbiano d'Abruzzo (Bombino Bianco) or Trebbiano Toscano, an alcohol level of 12%, and be aged for two months
• Red wines: Must be made with at least 95% Montepulciano, have an ABV of 12.5% and be aged for five months

Top 10 Abruzzo Wines In 2022

Here are 10 delicious Abruzzo wines every wine lover should try out, along with their wine tasting notes and prices.

• 1990 Azienda Agricola Valentini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
• 1993 Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
• 1991 Azienda Agricola Valentini Trebbiano d'Abruzzo
• 2015 Masciarelli Gianni Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
• 2015 La Valentina Bellovedere Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Terre dei Vestini Riserva
• 2020 Feuduccio Passerina Colline Teatine IGT
• 2015 Torre Zambra Villamagna Riserva 
• Farnese Fantini Swarovski Gran Cuvee Spumante Bianco
• 1999 Azienda Agricola Valentini Cerasuolo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Rose
• 2013 Casal Thaulero Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

1. 1990 Azienda Agricola Valentini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo ($1,033)

Produced by the world-renowned winemaker Edoardo Valentini, this vintage has dark red cherry aromas, black fruit flavors, and soft tannins. This wine received a fantastic 93 score from the Wine Spectator. 

2. 1993 Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo ($407)

Produced by one of the first boutique wineries in Teramo, this red wine opens with ripe dark fruit aromas and lacy leather and tobacco notes. The palate is incredibly refined and has exquisite black cherry flavors. 

3. 1991 Azienda Agricola Valentini Trebbiano d'Abruzzo ($626)

This Italian white wine is made in Loreto Aprutino and has a spicy nose of crystallized lemon, fennel, and flowers. The palate has dried lemon and pineapple flavors and some floral notes. 

4. 2015 Masciarelli Gianni Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo ($12)

This gem of a wine is made from the Montepulciano grape variety and has rich dark cherry aromas and herb notes. You’ll also notice attractive spicy, smoky notes on the palate and a textured finish. 

5. 2015 La Valentina Bellovedere Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Terre dei Vestini Riserva ($49)

This Italian wine has a deep ruby red color and a bouquet that reveals blackberry nectar, aromatic herb flavors, and cocoa notes. The palate offers soft tannins and lingering mineral notes.

6. 2020 Feuduccio Passerina Colline Teatine IGT ($10)

Made with the Passerina grape variety, this sweet wine has charming lemon, pear, and melon aromas. The palate exudes complex fruit flavors and balanced acidity. This wine is perfect for your next casual wine club event.  

7. 2015 Torre Zambra Villamagna Riserva ($95)

This Italian wine has an intense nose of crushed thyme and mint, chocolate, and dark fruits. The chewy cherry flavor is the dominant tasting note on the palate. Try this red wine with creamy tomato pasta dishes.

8. Farnese Fantini Swarovski Gran Cuvee Spumante Bianco ($18)

This is an Italian sparkling wine with brilliant hues, intriguing green citrus fruit, and a floral aroma. The palate has zesty flavors, mineral undertones, and a long, crisp finish.

9. 1999 Azienda Agricola Valentini Cerasuolo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Rose ($757)

Pale apricot blush in color, this beautiful Italian Rose made by Edoardo Valentini bursts open with a bouquet of sweet fruits, bright acidity, and mineral notes. 

10. 2013 Casal Thaulero Montepulciano d'Abruzzo ($18)

This red wine has exquisite blackberry jam, plum, and milk chocolate aromas. There is medium acidity, ripe tannins, and intense dark fruit notes on the palate. Try this wine with a meaty pizza.

Should You Invest In Abruzzo Wine?

If you want to invest in fine wines, it’s a good idea to partner with a reliable wine investment company like Vinovest. 

Vinovest can help you buy, store, and sell any fine wine with ease, whether you're located in New Zealand, South Africa, or New York. 

Although most wines from the region are meant to be drunk young, the finest Abruzzo wines have decent aging potential:

• Montepulciano d'Abruzzo: Up to 5 years
• Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo: Up to 4 years
• Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva: Up to 7 years
• Controguerra Passito Rosso: Over 10 years

Abruzzo wines also have excellent price appreciation. For example, the 1999 Azienda Agricola Valentini Cerasuolo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Rose price increased by 300% from $187 in 2020 to $764 in 2022.

Additionally, these bottles perform well at auctions. For example, 10 bottles of Valentini, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 1990 were sold for $8,688 at a Christie’s auction in 2020.

Abruzzo Wine Food Pairings

Here are some great food pairing recommendations for the different Abruzzo wine styles:

• Red wines: Pasta dishes, lamb kebabs, lasagna, and hamburgers
• White wines: Vegetable and legume soups, Italian seafood dishes, and flavorful cheeses
• Rose wines: Prosciutto and olives and salty Parmigiano cheese

Abruzzo Wine Region: Terroir And Winemaking

Located in central Italy, Abruzzo is a mountainous region bordering the Adriatic Sea.

The Gran Sasso mountain range protects the vineyards from heavy rainfall from the west. However, the region still experiences a generous amount of rain from the east. 

As a result, Abruzzo Italy has a moderating Mediterranean climate characterized by abundant sunshine and a decent amount of rainfall.

The vineyards’ soils range from marly-clay and sand-rich flysch to limestone soils and alluvium deposits.

Almost 80% of the region’s wines are produced by one of these four wineries: Cantina Tollo, Casal Thaulero, Casal Bordino, and Citra.

Red and white Abruzzo wines are usually aged in oak barrels, while the Rose wines (Montepulciano Cerasuolo) are aged in stainless steel tanks.

The History Behind The Abruzzo Wine Region

It’s believed that Abruzzo Italy has been producing wine since the sixth century BC thanks to the Etruscans who introduced viniculture to the region. 

However, there’s also evidence that the region produced a Moscato-style grape called Apianae as early as the fourth century BC. 

Although the region experienced a significant population decline, the last 40-50 years have seen a considerable renaissance in the Abruzzo region.

Abruzzo wines are now imported by major countries like Germany, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.

Add An Alluring Bottle Of Abruzzo Wine To Your Collection Now

Nestled between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea, the Abruzzo wine region produces many unique wines. 

Whether you’re in the mood for a medium-bodied red wine, a soft and fragrant Rose, or a summery white wine, the Abruzzo region has the thirst-quenching tipple you need. 

If you're looking to invest in investment-worthy wines, check out the Vinovest website today!