Region: Abruzzo
History: Established as a DOC in 2008
Vineyard Area: 28 ha / 69 acres (2011, V)
Production: 810 hl (total 2011, V); avg. 7,700 cases bottled annually
Principal White Grape Varieties: Chardonnay, Falanghina, Malvasia, Moscato, Passerina, Pecorino, Trebbiano
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Montepulciano, Sangiovese
Styles and Wine Composition:
WHITE WINES
- Bianco (Wh): Minimum 75% Trebbiano (Abruzzese and/or Toscano) + OANWG
- Falanghina (Wh): Minimum 90% Falanghina + OAWG
- Passerina (Wh): Minimum 90% Passerina + OAWG
- Pecorino (Wh): Minimum 90% Pecorino + OAWG
- Superiore (Bianco)
RED WINES
- Rosso (Rd): Minimum 90% Montepulciano + OARG
- Cabernet Sauvignon (Rd): Minimum 90% Cabernet Sauvignon + OARG
- Merlot (Rd): Minimum 90% Merlot + OARG
- Sangiovese (Rd): Minimum 90% Sangiovese + OARG
- Novello (Rosso)
- Riserva (Rosso)
SPARKLING WINES
- Spumante (WhSp, WhSpSw): Minimum 60% Chardonnay + OANWG
DESSERT AND SPECIALTY WINES
- Passito Bianco (WhSw): Minimum 90% Malvasia and/or Moscato + OAWG
- Passito Rosso (RdSw): Minimum 90% Montepulciano + OARG
Significant Production Rules:
- Minimum vineyard elevation: 80 m (260 ft)
- 60% of grapes for Novello must undergo carbonic maceration and the wine must be bottled by December 31
- Minimum alcohol level: 12.0% for Falanghina, Novello, and Spumante; 12.5% for Bianco, Passerina, and Sangiovese; 13.0% for Pecorino, Superiore, Rosso, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot; 13.0% for Passito (16.0% potential); 13.5% for Riserva
- Residual sugar: Spumante wines can be at any sweetness level, from brut nature (zero dosage) to dolce
- Aging: For Bianco and white varietals, minimum approx. 3 months (ERD = January 1, V+1); for Superiore, minimum approx. 6 months (ERD = March 31, V+1); for Rosso and red varietals, minimum approx. 14 months (ERD = January 1, V+2); for Riserva, minimum 2 years, including 6 months in barrel (ERD = January 1, V+3)
