Although 11 November is not a public holiday in Italy, as it is in Belgium, the date will undoubtedly be celebrated with extra enthusiasm in Abruzzo from now on. Who knows, perhaps the traditional panarda feast will one day be moved to that moment. On 11 November, Casauria received official confirmation that it would step out from under the broad umbrella of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC, its former parent appellation, and begin life as a fully independent DOCG. The European Union placed its final seal of approval on the decision, and for anyone with a soft spot for Abruzzo, this is far more than a footnote. It is a well-earned recognition for a region that has pushed itself upward with quiet determination and hard work. With this new designation, Abruzzo now counts three DOCG areas.

Where It All Began

Abruzzo has a habit of elevating its lesser-known corners to DOCG status. Tullum, granted the designation only a few years ago, was already a surprise, and Casauria builds on that momentum. Let’s be honest: aside from a handful of Italy enthusiasts, few wine lovers could confidently point to Casauria on a map. And yet, the area has everything required to justify a DOCG in its own right.

Casauria takes its name from the Abbey of San Clemente a Casauria, a Romanesque complex founded in the ninth century in the valley of the Pescara River. Historical sources suggest that the name may derive from Casa Aurea, the “golden house”, in reference to the exceptional fertility of the surrounding soils. That fertility is no coincidence. Wine has been part of this landscape for centuries. Ancient rock-hewn pressing basins such as the Palmenti di Pietranico, alongside the historical influence of the Benedictines, testify to a deeply rooted and continuous winemaking tradition.

Today, the DOCG spans several municipalities in the province of Pescara, situated on hills and plateaus between two hundred and six hundred metres above sea level. The climate is mild and sunny, with warm summers and pronounced diurnal temperature shifts. These variations are essential for Montepulciano, enabling full ripening while preserving natural freshness. Altitude, airflow, and sunlight provide the grape with a balance seldom achieved in lower-lying sites across the region.

A Disciplinare That Clearly Prioritises Quality

The disciplinare for Casauria leaves no room for ambiguity. It outlines a precise stylistic profile and a firm commitment to quality.

Key provisions at a glance:
• Red wines only, made from one hundred percent Montepulciano
• Minimum alcohol of thirteen percent, and thirteen-and-a-half for Riserva
• Mandatory ageing of eighteen months, or twenty-four for Riserva, counted from 1 November following the harvest; oak is optional, not required
• Maximum yield of nine thousand kilograms of grapes per hectare and sixty-three hectolitres of wine per hectare
• Minimum planting density of three thousand five hundred vines per hectare, or three thousand two hundred for pergola-trained vineyards
• Vinification, ageing, and bottling must take place within the designated area to guarantee traceability and quality

Even transport is regulated. Bottling outside the zone is prohibited because shifts in temperature, oxidation, or microbiological instability can compromise the wine once it leaves its place of origin. The message is unambiguous: a bottle of Casauria DOCG must be a product of the zone from beginning to end.

How Does Casauria DOCG Taste?

Curious what Casauria DOCG delivers in the glass? Expect a deep ruby colour with youthful purple reflections. The nose shows ripe red fruit layered with subtle spice. As the wine evolves, or when aged in oak, warmer and more complex aromas emerge, while the fruit retains its clarity.

On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and flavourful, with fine-grained yet clearly present tannin. The interplay of altitude, abundant sunshine, and wide day-night temperature swings contributes to natural balance. These conditions give Montepulciano both ripeness and tension, resulting in wines with depth, length, and a distinct sense of place.

Casauria offers immediate pleasure in youth yet possesses the structure to age gracefully. It is a more finely etched expression of Montepulciano, typical of the higher elevations around Pescara, marked by concentration, vibrancy, and refinement.

Why This Is Not Really a Surprise

The announcement may seem unexpected to the broader world, but within Abruzzo, and among more specialised wine circles, the region’s rise has been unmistakable. Abruzzo has largely shed its former association with simple, inexpensive bulk wines and now demonstrates convincingly that its hillsides and higher-altitude vineyards are ideally suited to producing quality wine. In an era shaped by climate change, these elevations offer welcome resilience and freshness.

Montepulciano has been the subject of extensive study in recent decades. The variety has sharpened its identity and shows remarkable sensitivity to terroir and microclimate. The selection of local clones such as VCR 456, the so-called Casauria biotype, highlights the purposeful work growers have undertaken to refine their wines. The result is a distinctive style with concentration, precision, and aromatic complexity that stands apart from other expressions of Montepulciano.

Casauria DOCG is therefore much more than a new name on the map. It signals Abruzzo’s intent to demonstrate its full potential. The region has every necessary asset: high-elevation vineyards, a defined microclimate, and producers who refuse to accept mediocrity and instead aim for genuine distinction.

For wine lovers, this is an invitation to rediscover Montepulciano in a purer, more precisely articulated form. Not mass-produced, but crafted with ambition and care.

Casauria DOCG Is Ready for Its Debut

With this recognition, Italy now counts seventy-nine DOCG areas. Expectations are high, yet the region remains grounded. The potential is significant and the disciplinare is crystal clear. Casauria DOCG has every opportunity to become a benchmark within Abruzzo.

The first bottles bearing the new designation are unlikely to appear before 2028. Each wine must age for at least eighteen months, starting from 1 November following the harvest. Since producers can only begin DOCG production with the 2026 vintage, the earliest release for standard Casauria DOCG is mid-2028. Riserva wines will follow later, toward the end of 2028. Patience will be required, but anticipation will only grow.

A personal note to close: a few months ago, during an interview for the Italian Wine Podcast, I asked Professor Attilio Scienza which regions he believed were closest to earning DOCG status. My suggestions were Cirò Riserva and Casauria. Both have now become reality. And DOCG number eighty? Most observers think it’s just a matter of time. Etna is waiting, patiently or otherwise, for the volcano to give its next signal.

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