Abruzzo is one of the 20 regions of Italy and is located in the central, eastern part of the boot with a coastline along the Adriatic Sea.

It’s one of the more rural regions of Italy with more national parks and nature reserves than large cities. It’s definitely not on the typical tourist itinerary.

Of course, since it is in Italy, they do produce wine and have for a long time, with two DOCG in the region.

On June 23rd, I attended a sit down tasting of the “Extraordinary Wines of Abruzzo” which consisted of four white wines and six red wines. The tasting was held in Gattorpardo restaurant located at 15 West 54th Street in midtown Manhattan.

The main red varietals are Montepulciano D’Abruzzo and Cerasuolo with Pecorino and Trebbiano D’Abruzzo for the white varietals.

I thought the reds were a little hard edged at this point and could have used more bottle time, the whites were very drinkable.

Seminar

2024 Fontefico Terre di Chieti Pecorino D’Abruzzo La Canaglia Bio: Clear medium gold, honey and white flowers on the nose, medium body with crisp acidity.

2023 Tenuta I Fauri Abruzzo Pecorino Bio: Clear dark gold, honey and stone notes on the nose, moderate body with moderate to low acidity.

2021 Ciavolich Trebbiano D’Abruzzo Fosso Cancelli: Clear medium gold, sweet spice and petroleum on the nose, moderate fruit and acidity.

2010 Valentini Trebbiano D’Abruzzo: Clear medium gold with ripe earth notes on the nose, chewy and earthy with nice balance.

2024 Cataldi Mandona Cerasuolo D’Abruzzo Malamdrino: Clear light red, crushed raspberry on the nose, medium body with crisp acidity.

2024 Torre dei Beati Cerasuolo D’Abruzzo “Rosa AR-Bio: Clear medium red, melon notes on the nose, tight with firm acidity.

2010 Emidio Pepe Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Organic: Opaque dark red, sweet graphite, tar and barnyard floor on the nose, tight and dusty with mouth filling tannin.

2021 Masciarelli Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Riserva San Martino Rosso Marina Cvetic: Opaque black, purple rim, slate, herbs and cigarette smoke on the nose, chewy with mouth filling and teeth coating tannin.

2021 Fattoria Nicodemi Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Colline Teramane Cocciopesto Bio: Opaque black, purple rim, dark chocolate, toast and slate notes on the nose, dusty red fruit with firm tannin.

2019 Illuminati Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Riserva Colline Teramane Zanna: Clear dark red, crushed dark berries, eucalyptus and herbs on the nose, concentrated, chewy with mouth coating tannin.