Description
The Controguerra PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: White, Red, Rosé, Spumante Classic Method, White Passito, Red Passito and Novello. The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Controguerra PDO is within the territory of the municipalities of Controguerra, Torano Nuovo, Ancarano, Corropoli and Colonnella in the Province of Teramo, in the Abruzzo region.
Description of product typologies
Controguerra PDO Bianco is straw-yellow; the nose offers a fresh fragrance, with fruity notes of apple and pear; it is dry on the palate, with bitter notes and flavours corresponding to the nose. It is released for consumption from January 1st of the year following the harvest. Controguerra PDO Rosso is intense ruby red; it displays fragrances of red fruit on the nose; it is dry, intense and slightly tannic on the palate. It is released for consumption from March 31st of the year following the harvest. It can also display Riserva on the label. Controguerra PDO Rosé is cherry-pink, varying in intensity; it is vinous and fruity on the nose; it is dry, delicate and characteristic on the palate. Controguerra PDO Spumante is straw-yellow, with a fine perlage; the nose displays a floral and fruity bouquet with yeasty notes; it is fresh, citrusy and persistent on the palate. The wine must remain on the lees for a minimum of 18 months; for Millesimato (vintage) wines it is a minimum of 24 months commencing from the date of bottling, although not before January 1st of the year following the grape harvest. Controguerra PDO Passito Bianco is ambery straw-yellow; the nose offers fragrances reminiscent of honey and candied-fruit; it is velvety on the palate. During drying process, the grapes must reach a sugar content of no less than 24% and they cannot be mashed before November 15th of the harvest year or later than March 31st of the following year. It can be released for consumption from December 1st of the year following the grape harvest. It may display Annoso on the label if the wine has been aged for at least 30 months, commencing March 31st of the year following that of the grape harvest, in wooden barrels with a maximum capacity of 500 litres. Controguerra PDO Passito Rosso is deep ruby red; the nose displays fragrances of red berries, sour-cherry and prune; it has a rounded flavour with a slightly tannic note. Controguerra PDO Novello is ruby red; the nose displays a wide array of fragrances which are typical of young wines, with intense aromas of blackcurrants and raspberries; fruity hints return on the palate, mixed with notes of cherry blossom.
Grape variety specifications
The Controguerra PDO may display the following grape variety specifications. From white grape varieties: min. 85% Chardonnay, Passerina, Pecorino, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%. From red grape varieties: min. 85% Cabernet (from Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Cabernet Franc), Merlot, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%. The characteristics of the colour, fragrances and flavour of each specification are those typical of the grape variety and terroir of origin.
Additional specifications
The Controguerra PDO designation can be followed by the specification Vigna (Vineyard) with the relative toponym.
