redred
The black grape Abruzzo is built on. The Consorzio Tutela Vini d'Abruzzo puts it at around 17,000 hectares regionally and at more than half the planting base, and it carries both the red and the rosato denominations.
In the glass: Red cherry and herbs, soft tannins, and a range that runs from light everyday reds to full bodied Riserva bottlings, per Italian Wine Central.
Shows best in: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC, Colline Teramane Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOCG, Casauria DOCG, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC
whitewhite
A white grape native to Abruzzo, grown across all four provinces. Quattrocalici records that it was long confused with Trebbiano Toscano and Bombino Bianco, and was confirmed as separate by genetic work from the 1990s.
In the glass: White flowers, aromatic herbs, citrus and white peach with bright acidity; the top bottlings age towards honey, almond and hay, per Quattrocalici.
Shows best in: Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOC
Bombino Bianco ★ 4.0
whitewhite
A white grape mainly associated with Puglia that also has a long history in Abruzzo, and the reason the Trebbiano question is confusing: the DOC's own rules file still carries an older blend statement naming it.
In the glass: Rustic and productive, giving fresh, balanced whites with useful natural acidity even in hot years, per Quattrocalici.
Shows best in: IGT Terre Abruzzesi o Terre d'Abruzzo
whitewhite
The white grape that carried the Adriatic revival of the 1980s and 1990s. Italian Wine Central records 2,882 hectares nationally, grown almost only in Abruzzo at 61 percent and Marche at 38 percent.
In the glass: High acidity and high alcohol together, with apple, pear and a delicate herbal register of sage, thyme and mint, per Italian Wine Central.
Shows best in: Abruzzo Pecorino DOC, Terre Tollesi o Tullum DOCG, Controguerra DOC
whitewhite
A central Italian white grown across the Teramo and Chieti hills. Italian Wine Central notes multiple biotypes, enough that it may be a group of distinct varieties sharing one name, and records 2,030 hectares nationally.
In the glass: High acidity with ripe citrus and tropical fruit, per Italian Wine Central; Quattrocalici adds a small, thick skinned berry that holds up well on the vine.
Shows best in: Abruzzo Passerina DOC, Controguerra Passerina DOC
whitewhite
A Chieti province white, traditionally grown between the Sangro and the Aventino in Guardiagrele, Rocca San Giovanni, Fossacesia, Tollo and Ortona, and long treated as a minor blending partner for Trebbiano.
In the glass: Fresh and fragrant in the varietal bottlings that appeared over the last two decades, per Quattrocalici.
Shows best in: Abruzzo Cococciola DOC, IGT Terre di Chieti
whitewhite
The rarest of the Abruzzo whites, historically grown in the Vomano valley in the Teramo and L'Aquila provinces. Quattrocalici notes it is regularly confused with the Calabrian Mantonico Bianco, a separate variety.
In the glass: Late ripening with firm acidity, used both for still whites and for sparkling base wine.
Shows best in: Abruzzo Montonico DOC