We the Italians September 21, 2015 - 68 | Page 34

st # 68 • SEPTEMBER 21 , 2015 read more about #Italian Wine ITALIAN WINE: The Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Terramane DOCG with Cerelli Spinozzi By Jennifer Gentile Martin for www.vinotravelsitaly.com The top grapes of this region including the white grape, trebbiano d’abruzzo, also know as ugni blanc in France. It’s a high acid wine, without much flavor extracted and is usually light and crisp with apple flavors. The rose’ produced in the region is known as cerasuolo d’abruzzo made of the montepulciano grape that is a hearty rose’ with notes of dried fruits and strawberries. Above all dominating the region’s well known wines are montepulciano d’abruzzo. A late-ripening variety it’s deep colored, plump, low acid and an accessible wine in its youth. About two thirds of the production comes out of the Chieti province. There is plenty of everyday montepulciano produced under the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC that can be simple and juicy depending upon the producer, but if you’re looking for some of the top quality montepulciano of this region 34 | WE THE ITALIANS www.wetheitalians.com seek out the 1 DOCG known as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane in the north. It was granted this status to differentiate itself from the rest in 2002. The Montepulciano d’Abruzzo from the Colline Teramane DOCG requires 90% montepulciano and 10% sangiovese. The regular Montepulciano d’Abruzzo from this DOCG is required to be aged 2 years where the riserva has an extra year at 3 years.To learn more about the wines