Italian Food, Wine & Travel Explores Abruzzo

This month for our 11^th #ItalianFWT (Italian food, wine and travel) group we feature the region of Abruzzo. Abruzzo is a rather central region in Italy surrounded by Le Marche to the north, Lazio to the west, Molise to the south and the Adriatic Sea to the east. The Apennine mountain chain that runs throughout Italy from north to south, culminates here at the highest peak, the Corno Grande in the Gran Sasso. Its rugged beauty dominates the region and is perfect for the lovers of outdoors activities.

Corno Grande in the Gran Sasso of Abruzzo by Alessandro Malatesta

According to Vino Italiano by Joseph Bastianich, Abruzzo's “annual wine output is almost double that of Tuscany even though Tuscany has nearly twice as much vineyard area.” It's one of the top 5 wine producing regions by volume. It's most notable grapes for whites are trebbiano d'abruzzo, for reds montepulciano d'abruzzo and for rose' cerasuolo d'abruzzo.

The cuisine of this region is mostly mountainous rich with sheep and lamb so much of the cuisine is focused on meats including many variations of lamb, sausage and salumi. If you've ever heard of the pasta, spaghetti alla chitarra, it is associated mostly with the Abruzzo region. The region offers us spices such as saffron, zafferano, and those sugar covered almonds that we love served at weddings known as confetti di Sulmona.

Spaghetti alla Chitarra by Fugzu

Saffron, Zafferano by Zoyachubby

Our group has lots to share with you from our travel to this region along with our love of food and/or wine. So come back this Saturday to read our personal journeys through Abruzzo and join us for an online live Twitter chat at #ItalianFWT at 11am EST and tell us about your travel experiences, favorite places and/or some of your favorite wines or food from Abruzzo. Here is a preview of what is to come:

Vino Travels – The Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Terramane DOCG with Cerelli Spinozzi

Rockin' Red Blog - The Natural Wonders of Abruzzo
Italophilia - An American in Abruzzo
Confessions of a Culinary Diva - Abruzzo Comfort Food & Wine
Cooking Chat - Pizza Pairing: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo for #ItalianFWT
The Wining Hour - 3 Wine & Food Pairings with Gusto from Abruzzo
Food Wine Click - Aruzzo 1st Course: Farro and Butternut Squash Soup with Passerina
Culinary Adventures with Camilla - Polpi in Purgatorio
Enofylz Wine Blog - Grilled Lamb Lollipops with Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Tralcetto

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