Kick Off The New Year In Abruzzo With Masciarelli Wines

Founded by Abruzzo native Gianni Masciarelli in 1981, the wines of Masciarelli have become the standard for the Abruzzo region in Italy and an inspiration to all emerging Italian wine regions. Producing some of the greatest value wines in the world, Masciarelli offers approachable wines that over-deliver with rich and ripe fruit. Since Gianni’s passing in 2008, his wife (Marina Cvetic) and daughter (Miriam Masciarelli), have become the region’s pioneering winemaking duo. Together, Marina and Miriam continue Gianni’s legacy with each and every bottle. These lovely family-produced wines are a perfect addition to your holiday table this year.

The Villa Gemma Colline Teatine Bianco 2021 is a taste of Abruzzo for a super affordable price! A blend of Coccociol, Pecorino, and Trebbiano — three of the region’s popular grapes — the white wine offers an intense floral nose and palate balanced between green fruit and zesty minerality. It’s the type of wine you want to open to set the mood for the evening while nibbling on cheese and charcuterie. ($21)

And if you’re anything like me, you want to pop open rosé any time of the year. The Villa Gemma Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo 2021 is a fleshy and full-bodied rosé, one that can stand up to hearty fall and winter dishes like duck and lamb. It’s produced in one of the few appellations in Italy dedicated to rose, Cerasuolo, where Montepulciano is macerated with the skins for 24 hours before fermentation in stainless steel. The result is a powerful expression of Montepulciano as a rosé that offers dark cherry flavors accented with smoke and spice. This one will surely wow you!! ($21)

Lastly, we cannot forget the red: Villa Gemma Montepulciano D’Abruzzo Riserva 2017, Villa Gemma is the wine that announced Abruzzo to the world, showcasing what the region and grapes of Abruzzo could produce. Villa Gemma Montepulciano Riserva is the only Italian wine with 14 consecutive Tre Bicchieri awards and, more importantly, was the wine that established Abruzzo as capable of making truly distinct, extraordinary wines. Villa Gemma Montepulciano Riserva is a powerfully – almost undeniably – intense wine of character and complexity. The wine has deep ruby-red hues with purple reflections.  There are bouquets of intense and persistent ripe red fruits on the nose. Exotic spices, cocoa, licorice and dried fruits engulf the palate.  This Riserva is full-bodied and extremely versatile with food. This a fabulous and memorable wine for all your friends and family! ($90)

Gianni Masciarelli put Abruzzo wine on the map 30 years ago, and today, his namesake winery maintains the region’s high-quality bottlings, including Trebbiano d’ Abruzzo and Montepulciano D’Abruzzo. The family-run team is not only a huge proponent of Abruzzo wines but the region in general. It simply has so much to offer.  Be sure to add Mascarielli wines to the table this holiday season.

**Photos Courtesy Masciarelli Wines**