In a nation of myriad appellations, Abruzzo offers wine drinkers refreshing simplicity. The long-standing regionwide DOCs for Montepulciano and Trebbiano d'Abruzzo have been complemented by an appellation for Controguerra, which takes in 12 types of wine.

Abruzzo, which is two-thirds mountains and one-third hills, boasts highly favorable natural conditions for grapevines. Growers favor the predominant Montepulciano and Trebbiano, while growing some highly productive vines (the region has Italy's highest average yields) for bulk wines and table grapes, and experimenting in an increasingly convincing way with outside varieties.

Regional Wine Appellations:

DOCG
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane

DOC
Controguerra
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Trebbiano d'Abruzzo

IGT
Alto Tirino
Colli Aprutini
Colli del Sangro
Colline Frentane
Colline Pescaresi
Colline Teatine
Del Vastese or Histonium
Terre di Chieti
Valle Peligna