Abruzzo
Coast and mountains come together in the Abruzzo wine region of central Italy, situated half-way up the 'boot’, due east of Rome. Its immediate neighbors are Marches (Marche) to the north, Lazio to the west and south-west and Molise to the south-east.
Winemaking traditions in Abruzzo date back to the sixth century B.C. thanks to the Etruscans, who played a major role in introducing viniculture to the area. At that time Abruzzo’s vineyards were generally focused around the Peligna valley in the province of L’Aquila. However, there is evidence that vine growing goes back as far as the fourth century B.C., when a sweet, Moscato-style grape called Apianae was grown. It is also believed that when Hannibal made his fantastic journey over the Alps, his soldiers were given Abruzzo wine from Teramo (historically known as Pretuzi).