Region: Abruzzo
History: Established as a DOC in 1968; Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane was established as a separate DOCG in 2003
Vineyard Area: 9,203 ha / 22,730 acres (2011, V)
Production: 872,000 hl (total 2014, Ismea); avg. 9,300,000 cases bottled annually
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Montepulciano
Styles and Wine Composition:
RED WINES
- Rosso (Rd): Minimum 85% Montepulciano + OANRG
- Rosso from subzones Alto Tirino and Terre dei Peligni only: Minimum 95% Montepulciano + OANRG
- Rosso from subzone Casauria only: 100% Montepulciano
- Rosso from subzones Teate and Terre dei Vestini only: Minimum 90% Montepulciano + OANRG
- Riserva (Rosso)
Subzones:
- Alto Tirino
- Casauria or Terre di Casauria
- Teate
- Terre dei Peligni
- Terre dei Vestini
Significant Production Rules:
- Maximum vineyard elevation: 500 m (1,640 ft) generally, 600 m (1,970 ft) for vineyards with southern exposure
- Minimum alcohol level (non-subzone): 12.0% for Rosso; 12.5% for Riserva
- Minimum alcohol level (subzones): 12.5% for Alto Tirino Rosso, Teate Rosso, Terre dei Peligni Rosso, and Terre dei Vestini Rosso; 13.0% for Casauria Rosso, Alto Tirino Riserva, Teate Riserva, Terre dei Peligni Riserva, and Terre dei Vestini Riserva; 13.5% for Casauria Riserva
- Aging (non-subzone): For Rosso, minimum approx. 4 months (ERD = March 1, V+1); for Riserva, minimum 24 months, including 9 months in barrel (ERD = November 1, V+2)
- Aging (subzones): For Alto Tirino Rosso, minimum 12 months (ERD = November 1, V+1); for Casauria Rosso, minimum 18 months, including 9 months in barrel (ERD = May 1, V+2); for Terre dei Vestini Rosso, minimum 18 months, including 9 months in barrel and 3 months in bottle (ERD = May 1, V+2); for Teate Rosso, minimum 21 months, including 9 months in barrel (ERD = August 1, V+2); for Terre dei Peligni Rosso, minimum 24 months, including 9 months in barrel (ERD = November 1, V+2); for Casauria Riserva and Terre dei Vestini Riserva, minimum 24 months, including 9 months in barrel and 6 months in bottle (ERD = November 1, V+2); for Alto Tirino Riserva, minimum 30 months (ERD = May 1, V+3); for Teate Riserva and Terre dei Peligni Riserva, minimum 30 months, including 9 months in barrel (ERD = May 1, V+3)
