Montonico
Also known as Montonico Bianco, Montonico d'Abruzzo.
Montonico (Montonico Bianco) is an ancient white grape of Abruzzo, associated above all with the Teramo hill town of Bisenti. Late-ripening and high in acidity, it was traditionally valued for table grapes and long-keeping wines, and has been used for still, sparkling and lightly sweet styles.
It produces firm, high-acid whites with citrus and orchard-fruit character and good structure, and is a permitted named varietal in the Abruzzo DOC. It is distinct from other central-Italian grapes that share the 'Montonico' or 'Mantonico' name (such as Calabria's Mantonico).
Structure
Typical aromas
Slow Food Presidium
PresidioUva Montonico
A source of 1615 records a grape of this name at Bisenti in the Teramano, and later ones call it a very productive quality variety — though its reputation rested on the table as much as the vat. Over the centuries it settled onto the ground under the Gran Sasso and grows above 500 metres, a vigorous vine that found its identity in country that is cold in winter.