Wines

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Neromoro Riserva Docg 2015

The Neromoro cru was the result of exciting research and a special selection of Montepulciano grapes from a single plot, a venerable Abruzzo pergola vineyard planted over 45 years ago on an excellent, east-facing breezy hill crest. There is no doubt that the particular Montepulciano biotype found here and the age of the vines are the milieu for grapes rich in polyphenols, while a low yield per hectare ensures perfect ripening. Neromoro is our dream come true of a wine that expresses the qualities of our homeland, the breezes that cool it on summer afternoons, and our philosophy. Harvested from such a venerable vineyard, the wine is infused with its past and peasant roots. A wine that mirrors who we are: fervent, elegant passionate yet refined.

Technical Specifications
Type:	Red
Designation:	Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Colline Teramane DOCG Riserva
Area:	Abruzzo, Teramo hills
Variety:	Montepulciano 100%
Vineyards	Municipality: Notaresco Altitude: 300 meters Aspecting: East Soils: Medium-textured limestone and clay Training System: Abruzzo pergola Density: 1,600 plants/hectare Average age of the vineyard: >45 years Average Yield: 60 quintals/hectare Harvest Method: By hand in 20kg crates
Vinification:	Destemming. Maceration 15-20 days, with fermentation in vertical vats. Devatting then malolactic fermentation. Racking to new and second passage barriques. Ageing for 16-18 months, racking, no fining and no filtration before bottling. Bottle Ageing: 6 months
Production:	10,000 750ml bottles and 200 1.5l magnum bottles.
Sensory Profile:	A well-structured, well-balanced and lingering wine of an intense ruby red. An ample nose profile offers notes of blackberry, blueberry and blackcurrant, with hints of red pepper and liquorice, and a balsamic nuance. The rich, stylish palate shows a long finale.
Serving Companions:	Superb with sweet and sour dishes, mature cheeses, and classic pasta recipes; roast and barbecued meat; game; traditional Abruzzo fare like mutton “callara”.
Serving Temperature:	16-18 °C

2013 NICODEMI NEROMORO MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO RISERVA DOCG

Fattoria Nicodemi

Fattoria Nicodemi is in Notaresco, in the heart of the Colline Teramane zone. The hilly estate covers a single plot of 38 hectares, of which 30 are under vine. The land, at about 300 metres in altitude, is aspected to the south east, with Mount Gran Sasso watching its back, and the sea at about 10 kilometres. At the farm they work with organic practices, with no use of chemical herbicides, pesticides or fertilisers on the vines, preferring spontaneous grassing in the rows. In the same spirit, the new vineyards are planted with a mass selection taken from our heirloom vines. We believe in biodiversity and even our new vines are selected from our heirloom cultivars, because something that was good in the past can play a role in the future.

Abruzzo

Italy is seldom known for the simplicity of its wines, yet the ruggedly mountainous region of Abruzzo offers an abundance of delightful, uncomplicated wines that tend to represent good value.

The region has three main, historical DOCs, including the red Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and white Trebbiano d’Abruzzo. The third DOC Controguerra is also for wines based on Montepulciano and other native grapes. Not to be confused with the town in Tuscany whose exceptional Vino Nobile is also gaining international recognition, the Montepulciano grape has gained a substantial following for its fruit-forward, complex yet approachable reds.

Some of the best wines come from the Teramo area, where a single DOCG exists for Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane, while some classic rosé wines – known as Cerasuolo - are now offered under their own DOC appellation. The new Abruzzo DOC has several interesting, high-quality sub-zones for Montepulciano wines, such as Terre di Casauria, Terre dei Vestini and Alto Tirino.

The Trebbiano grape is best known for dry, light and easy drinking wines with subtle citrus flavours. However some interesting wines are being developed from the "authentic" Trebbiano d’Abruzzo grape, which some think to be related to Apulia’s Bombino Bianco. They are capable of developing in bottle for a few years into wines of great character and complexity.