Nutritional information per 100 ml

Contains negligible amounts of fat, saturates, protein and salt.

Montepulciano

Montepulciano can be a little confusing. The name refers to several things: a small town in southern Tuscany, its surrounding wine-growing area and a red grape variety. The latter, however, is grown mainly in Abruzzo, as well as in the Marche, Umbria and Apulia. The famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano from the Montepulciano wine-growing area, meanwhile, consists mainly of Sangiovese grapes and contains no Montepulciano grapes at all. The theories about the origins of the grape variety Montepulciano are varied. One holds that it came from Tuscany to Abruzzo in the early 19th century. Another places its origins in the Peligna Valley, while other sources locate its birthplace around Torre de' Passeri in the province of Pescara. What is certain is that, accounting for around four per cent, it is one of the most common varieties in Italian viticulture. Montepulciano is also known as Cordisco, Morellone, Primaticcio and Uva Abruzzi. Important wines made from the Montepulciano grape include Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Rosso Conero and Controguerra rosso. Montepulciano grapes are also popular in the production of many other wines from the respective regions. Blending with Sangiovese is relatively common. The variety ripens late and needs plenty of sunshine. Montepulciano wines are usually made in a dry style, with intense colour, delicate to powerful spice, full body and high alcohol, and aromas of dark berries, cherries, plums, tobacco and spices. They age well but can also be enjoyed young.

Full-bodied and intense on the palate, with ripe tannins and a long, spicy finish. Its ripe aromas recall dark berries, cherries and delicate chocolate notes.

Olearia Orsogna

In central Italy, not far from the Adriatic, Abruzzo forms a picturesque part of the Apennines. Wide fields, vineyards and olive groves spread below. Between beaches and snow, influenced by the nearby Adriatic and an optimum balance of sunshine and coolness, substantial but not excessively heavy wines ripen here. Orsogna lies at around 500 m. The cooperative began converting its first vineyards to organic cultivation in the 1990s. Positive experiences in cultivation, quality and marketing enabled project leader and oenologist Camillo Zulli to persuade more and more members to follow this path. Today, 60% of total production is organically certified, of which 15% is of Demeter quality. All organic products grown according to Demeter guidelines are marketed under the name Lunaria. All bottled wines in this range share not only outstanding quality but also the traditional cord around the bottle neck, tied by people at an affiliated workshop for people with disabilities.