Can you suggest any good wines that I should watch for in Abruzzo? I know about Trebbiano and Montapulchiano D'Abruzzo wines, but not any specific wineries to watch for. I'd like to bring a few bottles home. Thanks. Dali

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Abbruzzo is home to a lot of large wineries making a lot of so-so wines. One of hte largest is Citra which specialized in fairly inoffensive plonk. Well maybe just abrely inoffensive is a better description. But there are a few players who do a better job.

Most of what you are going to find in Montepulciano d'Abruzzo or Vino di Tavola. The latter is a relation to the Sangovese grape made in a more fruit forward style. The latter can be anything and will usually be released under a "fantasy" name, meaning a made up name having no legal significance as far as the DOC law is concerned. Cabernet and Syrah are showing up here with regularity.

For a large coop, Tollo makes a few higher end wines that are a real bargain and fairly good.

Next up is Illuminati. This is a top notch producer and I love their "Zanna" which is "invecchiato" or aged. Really good and still fairly reasonable. They also make whites and other reds, but spring for the Zanna.


The best part of Abruzzo is that there are a lot of wineries making really good wines and not charging a lot for them so it won't cost you too much to experiment.


The one major exception is Emidio Pepe, a superb producer that has a very unique production process. They age their wines in the bottle on the yeast like a champagne. The wine is decanted and recorked when it is released from the winery at a very old age. They are probably just now releasing early 90's vintages. These are wonderful wines. They go for about $70.00 a bottle here or more. They are more pinot noir/burgundian is style. They are not for everyone but if you want ot splurge and experiment at the same time...

Abruzzo is neighbor to Rosso Conero's production area. There are many great producers including Morodorer (I think, otr that may be a place in Middle Earth, I get confused), Le Terrazze, and Umani Ronchi. From Le Terrazze look for the sassi neri or "black rocks", a single vineyard wine of some real distinction. It woould retail for about $25.00 here.

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Dali:
here is my $.02.
In Abruzzo, here are some upper end wineries producing DOC Montepulciano D'Abruzzo:
Dino Illumanti (Controguerra)
Bruno Nicodemi (Notaresco)
Masciarielli (San Martino sulla Marrucina)
Antonio & Elio Monti (Cotroguerra)
Duchi di Castelluccio (Scafa)
Tenuti Cataldi Madonna (Ofena)
Camillo Montori (Controguerra)
Edoadro Valentini (Loreto Aprutino)
Ciccio Zaccagnini (Bolognano)
There are others, ask around and explore. There is a 'Enoteca Regionale d'Abruzzo' in Ortona a Mare.
There is no better bargain in wines than Montepulciano d'Abruzzo.
Also look for a Montepulciano d'Abruzzo with Colline Teramane in the label you won't be disappointed.
Look for 1997 vintage, avoid 1996, 1999. Other years are OK.
One last recommendation while you're there, try to find a Cerasuolo (from the Montepulciano grape). It is made after brief maceration with the skins. The wine is named for its cherry-like color, but don't confuse it with a rose'. It's pretty interesting and impossible to find in USA.
Sorry to carry on, but this is probably more than you wanted to know.
Beva bene! Cin cin!
Fred

One last vineyard that I just remembered in Atri, Villa Medoro.
Enjoy your trip and get back to us!

Avvocato and Dean, thanks for all the info. Sounds like some good things to look for. I like the idea of the Cerasuolo. Something different. I'll look for it. This past summer we bought quite a few Brunello's at the Fortezza in Montalcino and had them shipped home. My favorite is the Argiano. I like to find things I can't necessarily get in PA. It's tough since our laws are so antiquated here, but it is getting better. Thanks again for all the advice. I'll get back to you when we return and let you know how we made out.