Description
The Abruzzo PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: White, Red, Rosé, White Spumante, Rosé Spumante, White Passito, Red Passito. The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety and geographical specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Abruzzo PDO is within the territory of numerous municipalities in the provinces of Chieti, L’Aquila, Pescara and Teramo, in the Abruzzo region.
Description of product typologies
Abruzzo PDO Bianco is straw-yellow, varying in intensity; the nose is fruity, characteristic, delicate and pleasant; it is dry, fresh and harmonious on the palate, ranging from dry to semi-sweet. Abruzzo PDO Rosso has a rich ruby-red colour, at times with purple hues and tending towards garnet red with ageing; the nose is intense, ethereal, displaying aromas of red fruit and hints of spices; it is dry and semi-sweet on the palate, pleasantly tannic, sometimes spicy and with a hint of jam if the grapes have been partially dried. The mixing of wines from different years is permitted in the production of the base wine. Abruzzo PDO Rosso must be released for consumption from January 1st of the year following that in which the grapes were produced. Abruzzo PDO Rosato ranges from pale pink to more or less darker shades of pink; the nose is delicate, with floral, spicy and red fruity aromas; it is harmonious and full-bodied on the palate, ranging from dry to semi-sweet. Abruzzo PDO Spumante Bianco is straw-yellow, varying in depth and at times with coppery reflections, with a fine perlage; the bouquet is subtle, ample and complex; it is fresh on the palate, pleasant and harmonious in the Italian or Charmat Method sparkling wines from brut nature to demi-sec and Classic Method sparkling wines from brut nature to extra dry. Abruzzo PDO Spumante Rosato ranges from pale pink to pink and/or coppery, varying in intensity; the nose is delicate, ample and complex; it is fresh on the palate, pleasant and harmonious in the Italian or Charmat Method sparkling wines from brut nature to demi-sec and Classic Method sparkling wines from brut nature to extra dry. Abruzzo PDO Spumante Bianco and Rosato wines must be aged in the bottle for at least 18 months, of which at least 15 must be on the lees, starting from the bottling date. For Spumante Millesimati Metodo Classico and Metodo Italiano or charmat winess, it is mandatory to use at least of 85% of the wine from the year of reference; the wine must be aged in the bottle for at least 24 months, of which 24 must be on the lees, starting from the bottling date. Abruzzo PDO Passito Bianco ranges from straw-yellow to deep amber; the nose is intense, ethereal and characteristic; it is sweet, full-bodied, velvety and harmonious on the palate, ranging from dry to sweet. Abruzzo PDO Passito Rosso is deep ruby-red, tending towards garnet red with ageing; the nose is intense, ethereal and characteristic; it is full-bodied, harmonious and velvety on the palate, ranging from dry to sweet. After careful selection, the grapes destined for the production of Abruzzo PDO Passito Bianco and Abruzzo PDO Passito Rosso wines must be dried on the vine and/or after harvesting, until a minimum natural alcoholic strength of 14% vol. is reached for the Wine category, and 16% vol. for the dried-grape Wine category. Abruzzo PDO Passito Bianco and Abruzzo PDO Passito Rosso wines must be released for consumption starting from March 1st of the year following of the production of the grapes. The Abruzzo PDO Bianco, Abruzzo PDO Rosato, Abruzzo PDO Spumante Bianco and Abruzzo PDO Spumante Rosato wines (made with either the Italian or Charmat Method and with specification of grape variety) must be released for consumption starting from the December 1st of the year in which the grapes are produced.
Geographical and sub-area specifications
The Abruzzo PDO Bianco Riserva, Abruzzo PDO Rosso Riserva, Abruzzo PDO Rosato Superiore, Abruzzo PDO Cococciola Superiore, Abruzzo PDO Malvasia Superiore, Abruzzo PDO Montonico Superiore, Abruzzo PDO Passerina Superiore, and Abruzzo PDO Pecorino Superiore wines included in the Abruzzo Protected Designation of Origin can be accompanied by four geographical sub-areas: Abruzzo PDO Terre di Chieti, produced in a few municipalities in the Province of Chieti; Abruzzo PDO Terre Aquilane or Abruzzo PDO Terre de L’Aquila, produced in a few municipalities in the Province of L'Aquila; Abruzzo PDO Colline Pescaresi, produced in a few municipalities in the Province of Pescara; Abruzzo PDO Colline Teramane, produced in a few municipalities in the Province of Teramo.
Grape variety specifications
The Abruzzo PDO may display the following grape variety specifications. From white grape varieties (including Spumante Metodo Italiano or Charmat and Metodo Classico): minimum 85% Cococciola, Malvasia (from Malvasia di Candia and/or Malvasia Bianca Lunga), Montonico, Passerina, Pecorino, pure or with the addition of grapes similar in colour and originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, maximum 15%. The Abruzzo PDO designation with the specification of two similarly-coloured grape varieties is reserved for wines obtained from grapes from vineyards on the producer’s land made up of the corresponding varieties, on the condition that the wine derives exclusively from grapes produced by the two specified varieties; the quantity of grapes produced by each of the two varieties must in any case be greater than 15% of the total, and the specification of the grape varieties must appear on the label in descending order with respect to the actual percentage of grapes obtained from them. The characteristics of the colour, fragrance and flavour are typical of the grape variety and terroir of origin. Abruzzo PDO wines with the specification of one or two grape varieties must be released for consumption from the December 1st of the year the grapes were produced in.
Additional specifications
The Abruzzo PDO designation with a geographical specification can be followed by the specification Vigna (Vineyard) with the relative toponym. On the labels of Abruzzo PDO wines, the name of the grape variety or one of the types may precede the Abruzzo designation. The use of the terms Rosa or Rosé is also allowed in the designation and presentation of Abruzzo PDO Rosato and Abruzzo PDO Spumante Rosato wines.
