Tag: Abruzzo

Abruzzo Wine Region is in an Exciting Phase of Transformation – Part lll – Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo for the Summer!

My new favorite rose style for the summer is “Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo!” and here is why…

This is Abruzzo’s rose and it represents a classic, long-established style that is native only to this region. The DOC has existed since 2010, while previously these (rose) wines were under the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC.

Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo wines get their distinctive deep red colour from a short maceration period (24 hours). The high-level of anthocyanins (in the skin) of the grape imbues the must with colour and tannin during this short process and time. Thereafter, the juice is matured in stainless steel for a few months before bottling.

Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo’s Profile

Cerasuolo wines traditionally have a deep, garnet color, and are made from the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo grape variety. During my recent visit, I found producers and winemakers making these wines lighter and paler in colour than in previous years,

These wines have a fruit-forward profile and energetic acidity along with great intense tannic character and wonderful freshness.  It’s interesting to note that these wines have good aging potential.

I attended a wonderful six-course dinner paired with Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo. What stood out for me what that we dined on local dishes, including antipasto, a risotto dish, white meat dish, and a variety of local seafood and all the wines tasted stood up to these dishes!

#abruzzowine #cerasuolodabruzzo #rosewine #roseallday #rosewinelover @visititaly #vinidabruzzo #abruzzowines #abruzzo #abruzzoitaly #abruzzowine #wine #winelover #travelling #winetravel #winetourism #womeninwine #wineexperience #winelovers #winetravels #winetasting #wineinfluencer #wineadventures #traveldiary #traveling #italianwines #vin #abruzzowines #vinidabruzzo #abruzzolovers #abruzzowinelovers #abruzzo #regioneabruzzo @ieemusa

The Trabocchi Coast – Abruzzo

I’m just back from Abruzzo, Italy – It’s a fascinating region of majestic mountains, national parks, stunning seascapes, charming villages, breathtaking views, and exceptional wines.

The coast of Abruzzo ranges from flat golden sandy beaches to dramatic coastlines with high cliffs to pebble beaches, which is on the Adriatic Sea.  The water temperature can reach 28 degrees in the summer. I was told by the local lifeguards that you can swim starting in April to the first week of October.  It’s interesting to note that Abruzzo has one of the highest densities of “blue flag” beaches in Italy!

What I found fascinating is the “Trabocchi Coast” a UNESCO World Heritage-protected for its traditional wooden fishing structures “Trabocchi.” This stunning 70-kilometer coast goes from Ortona to San Salvo (Chieti) and is a beautiful drive where you can see the striking collection of these stilt wooden huts. Some have been left abandoned, which make them more mystical, and some have been turned into restaurants.

Trabocchi were constructed by local fishermen in the 18th Century and were simply an extension of the rocky coastline. In order to facilitate fishing, boards were placed on the submerged rocks on the beaches so the fishermen could fish further offshore. Gradually, wooden stilts were used to erect freestanding platforms, which allowed the fishermen to project further out into the sea and were connected to land by long narrow boardwalks. The local fisherman fished for for anchovies, sardines, sea bream and sea bass.

The Trabocchi have been described as “colossal spiders” and “machines that seemed to live their own lives”  Gabriele D’Annunzio.

After speaking to locals, I found out that some of the Trabocchi are a few centuries old and still belong to fishing families.

It truly was an amazing experience .. walking along the boardwalk suspended above the sea, the smell of algae and crashing waves over the rocks – the atmosphere is both magical and romantic.

Having dinner on the Trabocchi we ate fresh fish and drank local white wines Pecorino and Trebbiano d’Abruzzo – an unforgettable evening with amazing views!

The “Trabocchi Experience” is a must when you visit Abruzzo!

#consorziotutelavinidabruzzo #montepulcianodabruzzo #cerasuolodabruzzo #trebbianodabruzzo #abruzzodoc #abruzzopecorino #winelovers #italy #discoverabruzzo #abruzzowines #abruzzowineinusa #vinidabruzzo #discoverabruzzowine #abruzzotourism #italianwine #Trabocchi #italianwinelovers #vinidAbruzzo

charmeu_usa

 

Grand Tasting of Abruzzo at Palazzo D’Avalos, Vasto – Part l

I was thrilled to be invited by the Consorzio Tutela Vini d’Abruzzo to take part in the “Grand Tasting Vini d’Abruzzo 2022”.  This year, the event was held on June 8th at the historical Palazzo d’Avalos in the town of Vasto, Province of Chieti.

The Palazzo d’Avalos showcases some important examples of Abruzzese Renaissance architecture.  It not only has stunning views the Adriatic Sea, it is also home to the Museo Civico Archaeologica.  A long leisurely lunch with breathtaking views was held in the magnificent Neapolitan-style gardens.

For the Grand Tasting, there were 120 national/international journalists and sommeliers in attendance. We had the opportunity to taste over 300 labels from the Abruzzo region. Wines were organized and poured by members of the Italian Sommelier Association, ‘AIS’ / Associazione Italiana Sommelier. I’m happy to say that there were over 76 wineries who participated in the tasting this year. It was a wonderful opportunity to taste wines from the four production areas: Chieti, Pescara, Teramo and L’Aquila, which included DOCG, DOC and IGT: Abruzzo DOCGs, DOCs and IGTs: Abruzzo DOC, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC, Colline Teramane Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOCG, Controguerra DOC, IGT Colli Aprutini, IGT Colli del Sangro, IGT Colline Frentane, IGT Colline Pescaresi, IGT Colline Teatine, IGT del Vastese / Histonium, IGT Terre Aquilane / Terre de L’Aquila, IGT Terre di Chieti, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC, Ortona DOC, Terre Tollesi / Tullum DOCG, Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC, and Villamagna DOC.

Opening speeches were delivered by: Valentino Di Campli, President Consorzio Tutela Vini d’Abruzzo and Licia Fioravante Councilor for Tourism.

“We are honored to be able to host in Vasto, in the marvelous setting of Palazzo d’Avalos, over 120 specialized journalists who have come from all over the world to learn about our good wine. Thanks to the president Valentino Di Campli and the Consorzio Tutela Vini d’Abruzzo – concluded the councilor for tourism, Licia Fioravante – for having wanted to include us in the “Grand Tasting Vini d’Abruzzo 2022” and in the broader program of the Abruzzo Wine Experience” which aims to make known the extraordinary increase in the quality level of Abruzzo wine, in the wake of a path that links the good product of our land, culture and traditions. To the kind guests the warmest “Welcome to Vasto”, certain to offer a beautiful experience in this splendid part of Abruzzo ”

My tasting notes and further details will follow in Part ll.

#vinidabruzzo #abruzzowines #abruzzo #abruzzoitaly #abruzzowine #wine #winelover #vasto #travelling #winetravel #winetourism #womeninwine #wineexperience #winelovers #winetravels #winetasting #wineinfluencer #wineadventures #traveldiary #traveling #italianwines #vin #palazzodavalos #abruzzowines #vinidabruzzo #abruzzolovers #abruzzowinelovers #abruzzo #regioneabruzzo #enoturismo #winelover #winelovers #abruzzodocpecorino
#montepulcianodabruzzo #trebbianodabruzzo #abruzzodoc #cerasuolodabruzzo