Wines from Abruzzo

The white Villa Gemma cuvée, made predominantly from Trebbiano, has a pleasant aroma of peach, mint and flowers. Structured and graceful, with a mineral note, the fresh flavour is flattering and long. Excellent value! SUPERIORE.DE

Powerful with an impeccably clear aroma. On the palate, the acidity supports ripe banana and citrus fruit that blends seamlessly with the wood. SUPERIORE.DE

Rich, full-bodied and typical of the variety, Spelt Rosato has an intense aroma and a fruity, dry flavour, a slender acid wire and a clear, energetic, full-bodied final. SUPERIORE.DE

"The nose is fresh yet salty, as notes of watermelon and cherry are balanced by subtle undertones of tar and leather. The fruit notes define the palate, but plentiful acid and prominent tannins emphasize the saltiness to maintain balance." Wine Enthusiast

"The Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Superiore Spelt 2022 is a deep red wine with orange-coloured reflections. It opens in the glass with a bouquet of sweet spices, rose petals and dusty dried cherries. It feels silky, almost heavy, with a nervous acidity that balances a cascade of ripe strawberries and candied citrus, stimulating the senses with savoury tension. The 2022 finishes with dramatic length, showing a forgivable hint of spiciness as red liquorice notes linger. This is a powerful interpretation of Cerasuolo Spelt, but one that is very balanced." Vinous

"Sparkling, intense cherry pink colour. A nose of beetroot, carrots and fresh cherries, paired with fine salty and earthy tones. Beautiful juiciness on the palate, well-integrated, albeit noticeable tannins, savoury fruit with considerable length. A great accompaniment to food." Falstaff

"Deep cherry red in colour. Wonderful aromas of raspberries and red cherries pour from the glass. Very inviting. Medium body with a super fresh raspberry flavour, spiced up with additional notes of blood orange and aniseed. Crisp and very flavoursome finish. Excellent summer fare and not just as an aperitif. Top Italian rosé made from selected Montepulciano d'Abruzzo grapes." James Suckling

Plaisir is a so-called straw wine: the muscat grapes are left to dry in the vineyard after cutting. It shows itself well structured and with a fragrant and flavourful harmony of candied fruits. Its intense fruity aroma is enriched with notes of flowers, while the full flavour is enlivened by a pleasant freshness. SUPERIORE.DE

High-quality Trebbiano Superiore with structure and beautiful correspondence between aroma and taste. Convincing with fresh-spicy to sweet aromas and a crisp-fresh finish, this organically produced white is quite a joy to drink! SUPERIORE.DE

"Richly shining light gold. In the nose of squeezed lemon and lemon pieces as well as fresh pineapple, reminiscent of fresh resin, plus sea salt and rosemary. Juicy on the palate, with pronounced fruit and well-integrated acidity, savoury, spans a nice arc, also slightly floral in the mid-palate, dry, slightly phenolic finish." Falstaff

"An impressive Trebbiano, also from organic farming. Yellow plum on the nose, with hints of wild sage and hawthorn, crisp and salty on the finish, with balsamic and fruity hints, a clear snapshot of the great potential of the area." Luca Gardini

Deep dark Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva with a beguiling aroma of dark red cherries and berries, earthy notes, grilled hazelnuts, spices and liquorice. "A mouthful of wine" in an incredibly appealing style. Spelt has remarkable concentration and outstanding length. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red colour. Nose of graphite, ripe cherries, wild berries, a hint of dried rose petal and rubber. Clear on the palate, with clear fruit and beautiful juiciness, shows compact tannins, drinks even better slightly chilled." Falstaff

"The 2020 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Spelt is dark and earthy in the glass, with undergrowth and crushed stones giving way to black cherries and spice. This is round and silky in feel, with ripe wild berry fruits and spices that cascade throughout. Plum and medicinal blackberry linger as the 2020 tapers off long, lightly structured, yet relatively fresh. Well done." Vinous

"Very cedary on the nose at first, so give it a swirl to allow the rich red fruit and floral notes to give you a proper introduction to this full-bodied and solid red. The cedary element is present throughout, but there’s plenty of fruit to counter it. Firm tannins kick in midway and give some astringency to finish, which will smoothen with some more time in bottle." James Suckling

Castello di Semivicoli is a great Rosso from the Chieti area and Masciarelli's first red wine cuvée. The vines in the vineyards of the province of L'Aquila were planted by Gianni Masciarelli in 2003. Medium-bodied purple red. On the nose black berries and nice peppery notes with some tobacco, violets and vanilla. Powerful and silky on the palate, polished tannin and a wonderfully fruity finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"There's a lightly decadent, floral edge to the mixed berries on the nose that translates into bright berries, fresh herbs and minerals on the medium-bodied palate with lightly firm tannins and clean acidity that together spur it on." James Suckling

Pecorino Castello di Semivicoli presents itself in a radiant straw yellow. Aromas of fresh citrus fruits, apricot and melon are complemented by floral nuances and beautiful herbal-spicy tones. Clear and fruity on the palate, with good richness and lovely length. A prime example of the grape variety that has been almost forgotten for a long time. SUPERIORE.DE

The Capsico Rosso, a single-varietal Cabernet Franc with its immensely concentrated and complex character, offers fullness and meatiness. The hints of red forest berries are harmoniously distributed between nose and palate, integrated tannins and good length round off the picture. SUPERIORE.DE

Medoro's famous top-quality Montepulciano Adrano, which elegantly and typically spreads a fine fruity aroma. The taste is led by a rich fruit that is excellently embedded in a full, deliciously spicy structure. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2015 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Adrano lifts up with an alluring display of crushed black cherries, sweet spices, violet florals and a hint of vanilla bean. This is silky and elegant in texture, contrasted by brisk acids and balsamic-tinged black fruits. Fine tannins linger, framing the expression nicely as the Adrano finishes savory with tart wild berries and minerals." Vinous

"The Villa Medoro 2015 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane Adrano shows a classic aromatic profile with dark fruit tones followed by leather and mild tobacco. This wine ages in oak for 12 months, and the impact of that wood emerges mostly in terms of the rich and slightly dense texture of the mouthfeel. Those contrasts between dark fruit and oak spice are nicely played, and they are perfectly suited to a rib-eye steak." Wine Advocate

Convincing Montepulciano d'Abruzzo of high quality at a very appealing price. Variety-typical, strong fruit aroma, full and spicy structure on the palate. SUPERIORE.DE

This Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is one of the best we have ever tasted. Concentrated ruby red in colour, its nose and taste are characterised by a wonderful balance between fruit components and oak spice. A compact, elegant and very balanced red with a rich finish. Perfect! SUPERIORE.DE

"The Terre di Casauria Riserva San Clemente 2018 opens with a mentholated blend of plum sauce, sage and dusty earth. On the palate, it is elegant and polished, with juicy red and blue fruits that fade into savoury herbs and exotic spices. The 2018 tapers off long and structured. A hint of violets and lavender calls the taster back to the glass." Vinous

Dark ruby, finely spicy bouquet, juicy cherry notes and delicate caramel. Elegant texture, with firm tannins and well structured. A round wine and ideal food companion. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red. A nose of ripe cherries and ripe plums, plus a hint of blackberries and milk chocolate, reverberating on dried rose petal. Fleshy and juicy on the palate, showing creamy fruit core with great tension, reverberating with savoury tannin and fine pressure." Falstaff

"Sweet herbs mix with peppery florals and freshly crushed blackberries as the 2017 Merlot blossoms in the glass. This envelopes the palate with mineral-tinged red and blue fruits as zesty acidity keeps the expression amazingly fresh, yet decidedly savory. A staining of primary concentration lingers through the lightly structured finale, along with a salty flourish that keeps the mouth watering for more. Very nice." Vinous

Deep dark ruby red. Full, deep and explosive bouquet reminiscent of dark berries, tobacco and liquorice. Illuminati's single-vineyard classic Zanna, with its elegant, very complex taste and delicate oak spice, leaves nothing to be desired every year. SUPERIORE.DE

The name Iskra comes from the Slavic language and means "spark". The name emphasises the uniqueness of a pair of wines that are able to seduce from the very first glass. Both Iskra wines have one characteristic in common: they have a great personality and their grapes each come from a single vineyard. With grapes typical of central Italy - Malvasia and Montepulciano from two of Abruzzo's favourite terroirs, Colline Teramane and Colline Pescaresi - both wines stand for their clear identity and origin.

Iskra Bianco is a wine that reminds Marina Cvetic of her childhood in Croatia. It is the result of the Malvasia Istriana grape variety, which is not native to Abruzzo but is well acclimatised and whose first rows of vines were planted in Loreto Aprutino's vineyard in 2010. This intense white wine, fresh and balanced, delights the palate with an exquisite balance between floral and hydrocarbon notes. An ideal accompaniment to Asian or transalpine raw food such as raw fish, sushi and Normandy oysters. SUPERIORE.DE

Marina Cvetic's Trebbiano Riserva - a dream and cult wine for lovers of full-bodied and complex white wines. Aromas of golden delicious, nougat, almond, honey, coconut and vanilla spread across the nose and palate. The balsamic-like texture gently conquers the palate and ends, flanked by fresh, lemony notes, in a long finish on crème caramel. SUPERIORE.DE

"The nose is acidic and textured, yet not without sweetness, with aromas of yellow apple, pineapple, lemon and vanilla. These notes all continue on the rich palate." Wine Enthusiast

"It has flavours of pineapple, smoked almonds, lemon cake and pralines. A hint of white chocolate. Creamy, medium to full-bodied and complex, with plenty of texture and depth and a long, nutty finish." James Suckling

Trebbiano Castello di Semivicoli, matured without the use of barrels, exudes an aromatic fragrance of ripe peach, mint and flowers, with mineral notes. Firm, rich, graceful and elegant on the palate. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lemons, chopped herbs and beeswax on the nose. Crushed stones, too. So fresh, with a medium body and lots of texture leading to a long, waxy and tangy finish." James Suckling

Binomio Riserva is a bold and very successful experiment by Fattoria La Valentina in collaboration with Azienda Agricola Inama. A fine selection of Montepulciano grapes from vineyards at altitudes of up to 400 metres, matured in barriques, this wine manages the balancing act between tradition, fidelity to type and modernity. The bouquet is complex and smoky with appetising aromas of sour cherry, while the taste is powerful and elegant, well tolerating the concentrated tannins and the alcohol component. SUPERIORE.DE

"This wine offers the richness and density one should expect from the Montepulciano grape, but it also displays sweet flavours reminiscent of blackberry, coffee and cherry tart. This sweetness is accompanied by spices and even a hint of cheese rind or white chocolate. The Binomio 2019 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva has a very creamy, almost milky quality." Wine Advocate

"The nose blends fruit notes of raspberry and strawberry with savory aromas of fresh grass, wild fennel and cured meat. That meatiness flourishes on the palate, but the fruit lingers to maintain a pleasing tension. Tannins provide structure as the acid finds its footing." Wine Enthusiast

"An intriguing nose of red berries, decadent red apples, dried tobacco, roses and rich earth. Medium to full-bodied with perfectly integrated tannins that provide a slightly velvety base for the bright fruit and spice flavours that run through the long, long finish. Few red wines from the Montepulciano grape are able to offer this level of complexity, combined with light-footed elegance and balance. Exquisite. Benchmark." James Suckling

The name Iskra comes from the Slavic language and means "spark". The name emphasises the uniqueness of a pair of wines that are able to seduce from the very first glass. Both Iskra wines have one characteristic in common: they have a great personality and their grapes each come from a single vineyard. With grapes typical of central Italy - Malvasia and Montepulciano from two of Abruzzo's favourite terroirs, Colline Teramane and Colline Pescaresi - both wines stand for their clear identity and origin.

The grapes for Iskra Rosso come from a vineyard in Controguerra in the province of Teramo. With its velvety softness and intense aromas of ripe red fruit, it represents one of the most famous terroirs in Abruzzo. It first matures in French oak barriques and then for a long time in the bottle. Complex and full-bodied with lively notes of blackberries, plums, blueberries and berries. Goes perfectly with roasts, stews or rich and flavoursome dishes. SUPERIORE.DE

"The nose balances an earthy herbaceousness with fruit undertones of strawberries, candied cherries and dried cranberries. On the palate, dense, taut tannins and formidable acid provide framing for a powerful, salty dark chocolate note, but lingering dried red berries provide some levity." Wine Enthusiast

"The grapes for Iskra come from a vineyard in the Colline Teramane. It ages for 18 months in new barriques, giving the nose spice, tobacco and balsamic undertones. It has a structured palate, with enough softness to smooth the assertive tannins, and good ageing potential." Decanter

"Dark and brooding, the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Iskra 2019 develops slowly. Hints of cloves and mocha complicate the flavours of dried black cherries and sage. It is elegant and refined, with polished red and blue fruits supported by a mineral core, while sweet wood spices emerge towards the finish. The 2019 is structured with fine-grained tannins that saturate as cocoa and balsamic spices slowly fade away. This tight Iskra is made for the cellar." Vinous

Dense, deep red, in the nose forest fruits, ripe red berries and sweet-spicy notes. On the palate elegant, soft, almost creamy, rich, with fine tannin, pronounced body and an optimal balance between alcoholic potency, freshness and fruit and with a furious finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2016 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Bellovedere is dark yet elegant, with an inviting bouquet of blackberries, crushed violets, exotic spice and hints of camphor. This is silky in texture with a savory, almost-salty display of wild berries and minerals, all balanced by brisk acids. You can hardly feel its fine-grained tannins settling in until the very end, as the palate aches under the Bellovedere’s youthful structure, with echoes of licorice and black fruits lingering long. That said, the balance here is on point, and all the 2016 needs is a few more years of cellaring to really shine." Vinous

"Aromas of dark fruit, mushrooms, flowers and spices. It’s full-bodied with chewy tannins. Chalky texture in the mouth. Juicy and spicy. Flavorful finish with some length." James Suckling

"This rich red offers a cohesive mix of cigar box spice, menthol, hoisin sauce and brandy-soaked blackberries. It's densely packed in fruit and spice flavors on the full-bodied palate, yet balanced well by a polished sheen of tannins and plenty of fresh acidity. Showing ample power and concentration, this would hold well in the cellar." Wine Enthusiast

"Lovely nose, fragrant with a great purity, showing notes of dark cherries, cinnamon and hints of tobacco with leathery undertones. Very elegant and complex palate." Decanter