Welcome to this month’s gathering of the Italian Food, Wine & Travel (#ItalianFWT) group host by Jennifer Gentile Martin of Vino Travels – An Italian Wine Blog. This month, we’re delving into the delightful pairing of Italian wines with barbecue and grilled dishes. Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or just love a good backyard cookout, the rich and diverse world of Italian wines offers the perfect complement to your favorite grilled fare.

For this event, I’m thrilled to share that I received five exciting wines from the renowned MASCIARELLI Tenute Agricole in Abruzzo. With a legacy of excellence and a deep respect for their land, Masciarelli crafts wines that truly capture the essence of Abruzzo’s unique terroir. From refreshing whites to robust reds, these wines promise to elevate your grilled fare and side dishes with their exceptional flavors and versatility.

Let’s celebrate the joys of summer grilling with the vibrant and flavorful wines of Italy!

About Abruzzo

Abruzzo is located in central Italy on the east Adriatic coast, about 2 hour drive due east of Rome. It is hemmed in my neighboring Lazio to the west and southwest, Molise to the southeast and Le Marche to the north and Umbria to the northwest. Much of the region is sandwiched between the Apennine Mountains to the west and the Adriatic Sea to the east. Remarkably, one can ski in the Apennine mountains while gazing at the Adriatic Sea on the horizon.

Abruzzo is a stunning and often overlooked region in Italy, known for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. It remains one of Italy’s least populated regions, offering a wealth of attractions waiting to be explored. From majestic mountains, national parks, and protected reserves to picturesque beaches, charming villages, and vibrant festivals, Abruzzo has something for everyone. Whether you enjoy hiking, biking, exploring Roman ruins, visiting castles, or simply experiencing the warmth of its hospitable people, Abruzzo promises memorable experiences and a multitude of delights.

It boasts a diverse and picturesque wine landscape. The region’s vineyards thrive thanks to its unique terroir—a combination of diverse soils types, abundant sunshine, and generous rainfall. Abruzzo benefits from variable climates influenced by high-altitude mountains and cool mountain air currents, creating dramatic diurnal temperature variations that moderate overall temperatures in the vineyards.

Primary grape varieties such as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Trebbiano d’ Abruzzo flourish in this ideal environment. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, the flagship red wine, exhibits deep color, robust flavors, and impressive aging potential. Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, a versatile white wine, is characterized by its crisp acidity and refreshing citrus notes. Indigenous varieties like Pecorino and Passerina contribute to Abruzzo’s diverse wine offerings, reflecting the region’s rich winemaking heritage and commitment to quality.

The Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC appellation was the first DOC established in Abruzzo, dating back to 1968. Today, there are 12 grape growing sub regions in Abruzzo.

Most of Abruzzo’s grapes are cultivated in its hilly regions, with 80% of vineyards located in the Chieti province. The remaining vineyards are spread across Pescara, Teramo, and L’Aquila provinces.

Finally, Abruzzo has a rich gastronomic tradition. On the coast first, and second courses feature fresh seafood from the Adriatic Sea.  While inland, one will find plenty of lamb, kid, and mutton, while pork loin, prosciutto (prosciutto di cinghiale – wild boar ham anyone?), and various other locally produced salumi.

A typical meal in Abruzzo is accompanied by a selection of the best wines of the Region: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Sangiovese and Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

About Masciarelli

Founded by Abruzzo native Gianni Masciarelli, Masciarelli Winery has become a beacon of innovation and excellence in the region. Gianni, who dropped out of university to pursue his passion for winemaking, became Abruzzo’s first “garagiste,” utilizing his family’s vineyard located in a national park between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea in the Chieti province. In 1981, he and his wife, Marina Cvetić Masciarelli, produced their first vintage during a time when Abruzzo was considered a “backwater” province in the Italian wine landscape.

Gianni’s relentless pursuit of excellence led to numerous groundbreaking innovations in the region. He introduced the Guyot trellising system, high-density planting, and the use of French oak barrels—practices that were revolutionary for Abruzzo at the time. These innovations helped elevate the quality and reputation of Abruzzo wines on the global stage.

Tragically, Gianni passed away in 2008, but his legacy lives on through the family-owned and operated winery. Today, Masciarelli Winery is managed by his wife, Marina, and their daughter, Miriam Lee Masciarelli. Together, they continue to uphold Gianni’s vision and dedication to quality. The family are fierce advocates for the Abruzzo wine region, tirelessly promoting its unique wines and rich heritage.

Masciarelli Winery now boasts 60 non-adjoining parcels of vineyard,
scattered throughout all four provinces for a combined 300 ha/741 acres Half of these vineyards are organically farmed, while the other half are sustainably farmed under integrated agriculture principles. This commitment to sustainability and quality ensures that Masciarelli Winery remains at the forefront of Abruzzo’s wine industry, producing compelling wines that reflect the unique terroir and heritage of the region.

The family is also a leading pioneer in wine tourism in Abruzzo. Gianni and Marina purchased the 17th century Castello di Simivicoli in 2004 renovated the property and opened a luxury hotel in 2009.

Disclosure: Wines were provided as a media samples. No other compensation was received. All opinions are mine.

In My Glass

I received two wines from the Marina Cvetić Collection, named after the founder Gianni Masciarelli’s wife, and three wines from the Villa Gemma Collection, named after the modest home where Gianni was born. The Villa Gemma wines included a rosé from the Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC, dedicated to the cherry-red, brightly flavored rosés from Abruzzo—a delightful first for me!

Tasting Notes

• 2022 Masciarelli Bianco Villa Gemma Colline Teatine IGT – Italy, Abruzzi, Colline Teatine IGT
  Lemon yellow color with Meyer lemon, sea shell, dried basil, and subtle white floral aromas. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied with mouthwatering zesty acidity with Meyer lemon, ripe white peach, and green apple flavors with an appealing saline laced finish.
  A blend of Trebbiano, Pecorino, and Cococciola from four vineyards with vines averaging 37 years. SRP – $24 (88 pts.)
• 2020 Masciarelli Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Marina Cvetić Riserva – Italy, Abruzzi, Trebbiano d’Abruzzo
  Pale lemon yellow with Meyer lemon zest, lemon curd, green apple, dried herb and subtle white floral aromas. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied with mouthwatering zesty acidity with lemon curd, grilled pineapple, white peach, green apple, Meyer lemon zest and vanilla flavors with a very appealing saline minerality and a long finish. 100% Trebbiano from 2 vineyards planted on clay and limestone soils. Elevage in barrel. Aged for 12 months in new French barriques, then 12 months in bottle. SRP – $60 (91 pts.)
• 2022 Masciarelli Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Villa Gemma – Italy, Abruzzi, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo
  Pale cherry red color with enticing sour cherry, raspberry, damp earth, and subtle wild herb aromas. On the palate it’s medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and a welcome hint of tannins which broadens its versatility at the table. It show fresh Morello cherry, strawberry, raspberry flavors with a very appealing wet stone mineralty and a long finish 100% Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo. I love this rosé. It has a bit more weight and subtle tannins, making it exceptionally food-friendly. Plus, it’s absolutely delicious! SRP – $24 (92 pts.)
• 2019 Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Marina Cvetić – Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
  Medium garnet color. Perfumed Starting black fruit, camphor, dried herb, cedar, leather aromas. Med bodied, firm tannins, lively acidity blackberry, black cherry, red plum flavors. Med finish 100% Montepulciano sourced from four ‘cru” estate vineyards. Aged 12-18 months in French barriques. SRP – $38 (90 pts.)
• 2018 Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva Villa Gemma – Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
  Medium, dark ruby color. Aromatic mesquite, black fruit baking spice aromas. On the palate it’s medium bodied with well integrated velvety tannins and medium acidity with black and red currant, blackberry, plum, vanilla, cacao flavors with a long finish SRP – $98 (93 pts.)

Wine Pairings

The main dish I chose for this month’s theme is dry-rubbed smoked wild boar ribs and smoked wild boar sausages. The pairing was inspired by memories of our first trip to Italy, where we stopped at a farmer’s market in Orvieto and and savored our first taste of “cinghiale” (wild boar) ribs.

Note: If you’re curious about the source of the wild boar ribs and smoked wild boar sausages, I purchased then from Broken Arrow Ranch, which humanely field-harvest wild game with a mobile unit from overpopulated ranches in Texas then processes them onsite under government inspection.

On a sweltering 107-degree day, we decided to make cucumber gazpacho to accompany our smoked wild boar, using homegrown cucumbers, dill, and garlic. This turned out to be a refreshing and delicious choice.

The Cerasuolo paired beautifully with both the Cucumber Gazpacho and the Dry Rubbed Smoked Wild Boar Ribs, while the Montepulciano complemented the ribs but clashed with the gazpacho.

Bonus pairing

Amidst a potentially record-breaking heat wave here in Northern California, with temperatures soaring to 112 degrees the following day, we opted for grilled Branzino. This choice paired beautifully with the 2022 Masciarelli Bianco Villa Gemma Colline Teatine IGT.

Thirsting for more? Dive into the rest of our Italian food and wine writers’ group as they share intriguing Italian wines perfectly paired with barbecue delights.

Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm features “Chicken Spiedini and Il Sorriso from Sicily”
Camilla of the Culinary Cam will entice us with “Simple but Spectacular: Grilled Top Sirloin + Attilio Ghisolfi 2018 Sbardaja Nebbiolo”
Terri at Our Good Life shares “Savor the Flavors: Exploring the Perfect Pairing of Italian Wine and Barbecue with Speri Amarone 2018”
Gwendolyn of Wine Predator writes “Fresh from the grill: Halibut and Pizza with wines from Sicily”
Martin of Enofylz Wine Blog will “Discover Abruzzo: Five Masciarelli Wines and Smoked Wild Boar Pairings”
Alison of Artisan Wine Tasting will feature “Elio Filippino 4 Amis Lange Rosso from Piedmont and a Filet, mushroom and brandy on the grill”
Jennifer of Vino Travels Italy serves up “Chicken and Shrimp Skewers with Poggio della Dogana Romagna Albana”

Thank you for joining me on this journey through the alluring wines of Masciarelli from the enchanting Abruzzo region. I hope this guide has inspired you to seek out these remarkable wines and experience the unique flavors and stories they offer.

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