Almond’22 is a small micro brewery in Spoltore located on the lush green countryside in the province of Pescara.

The Almond’22 building is from the late 19th century. In 1922 a group of elderly women worked here pealing almonds to produce the world wide famous confetti of Sulmona. This gave the proprietor the idea of naming the micro brewery ”Almond’22”. They produce un-pasteurized and un-filtered beer that is refermented using the Champenois method (Ital. = metodo classico). This allows the beer to acquire very fine and complex flavours and aromas as well as allowing it to mature. Furthermore bottle conditioned beer has an amazing and complex evolution as time passes.

[Show as slideshow]

The spices and raw cane sugars come from the fair trade and are carefully selected; the honeys come from the green mountains and hills of Abruzzo. Malts and hops are the best available and are carefully selected from each supplier. Pure spring water from the mountains near Farindola is used to brew and no chemicals or preservatives are added.

Almond ’22 sells directly to the consumer. Contact information:

website: www.birraalmond.com
email: info@birraalmond.com
tel. +39.320.9527 299

address: Via dietro le mura 36/38, 65010 Spoltore (PE)

There are places and things to see which at times need no description at all. Either because everything’s already been said or nothing has to be said at all because you have to experience it for yourself in order to do it justice. Sextantio, the “Extended Hotel” located in Santo Stefano di Sessanio is surely one of these places.

Let’s start things off simply: Santo Stefano di Sessanio is an abandoned medieval mountain town in the heart of the raw Apennin mountains located approximately 5 Kilometres from Rocca Calascio in the province of Aquila which was brought back to life by Daniele Khilgren.

[Show as slideshow]

How was this done? Well, he simply had the idea of purchasing a good portion of the town, renovating the houses so well that they don’t look renovated at all, then adding ultra modern touches (which blend in perfectly may I add) and then inviting the world to sleep over in his playground. Yes my friends, medieval is definitely “IN” this year… and next, and then next… this hotel is truly timeless and unique.

It’s like something out of a James Bond film and would probably be called WiFi-Island if it were. One wouldn’t think it. One doesn’t see it. But yes, thanks to Sextantio, wireless internet access has come to the raw Apennin ranges. A minor miracle considering you can’t even get DSL in a great part of the region yet.

From the outside, Santo Stefano looks absolutely normal, unchanged, still abandoned if you may. But once you enter one of Sextantio’s many complexes that’s where the fun starts. Anyone interested in interior design will catch themselves gazing. You can’t help but be spellbound at the idea of it all: these extremely old houses which have been renovated at the highest possible level, the furniture gathered and collected minutely, each room’s floor being lifted to make space for heating coils (you will never see a radiator here at Sextantio) and then placed again, stone by original stone.

Each room is lovingly decorated and so cozy you will have to persuade yourself to leave the room at all. Not only are the beds extremely inviting, each with their own hand woven bedspread made in Santo Stefano by traditional weaving methods, but the space age bath tubs smack dab in the middle of some rooms will make you want to lie weightlessly for hours… with of course your partner, candle light and a bottle of 1996 KRUG Grande Cuvee.

One can go on writing for pages and not even have reached the details regarding the breathtaking surroundings of Santo Stefano di Sessanio. Nature lovers, hikers and mountain bikers have one huge problem… where to start! Yes, that’s how many possibilities you have here. Raw nature, trails on top of trails in the area.

Whatever your liking when on vacation, relaxation, sporting activities, gourmet indulgence, Sextantio offers something for everyone and considering the magical and unique atmosphere offered, the prices are very fair, ranging from € 120,- per night for a double room to € 240,- per night for a suite.

Once you are there, take the time to visit the many little “bottege” (handicraft ateliers) where you will find a goldsmith, soap maker, weaver and other crafts people which work with traditional methods and who also sell their wares on the premises.

Even if you don’t plan on staying in Santo Stefano di Sessanio overnight, a day visit to stroll through the town is surely worth the drive and its close proximity to Rocca Calascio will surely fill your day with enough activity that at the end of the day, you are going to wish you had reserved one of those rooms I described before.

67020 Santo Stefano di Sessanio (AQ)

Open all year round

Telephone: +39.085.4972324
Telefax: +39.085.4972324

Website: www.sextantio.it
E-Mail: reservation@sextantio.it

It must have been a heavy case of amnesia. Yesterday I enjoyed my Latte Macchiato at an Italian Bar – Dolce Vita in a Mediterranean ambience. Today the world seems to have turned around completely and I don’t have a clue what’s going on. Did I time warp straight to the Bonanza-Ranch?

After a few meters of altitude on today’s ride, a 30 km long and 8 km wide plateau rolls out in front of us. Dimensions like the one’s you see in the most monumental western flics. No tree or bush to block your site. We are passing enormous sheep, cow and horse herds. An endless sound loop with Ennio Morricones showdown music sounds in my head. Rugged rock walls surround fertile pasture land. In the Northwest, Gran Sasso, the “big rock” draws the boundary of this bizarre wonderland. No Indian tribe could have named this mountain more adequately. At the Vado di Corno, the prairie mood finds it’s peak. An untouched cow carcass lies directly on the trail. The thoroughly gnawed skull and the incredibly large horns shine in the beating sun. I’m nervously looking around. The only thing missing is an Apache arrow in my helmet … , or even worse in our only water bottle.

It’s really hard to believe. We neither flew around the globe, nor did we need immunisation against tropical diseases to experience pioneer trails like this. No, our adventure dream turns to reality smack dab in the middle of Bella Italia. No political riots reduce the explorer’s enthusiasm and best of all, we didn‘t have to prepare the trip years in advance to conquer this outstanding landscape. Approximately ten hours on the highway (from Munich, Germany) and a few smaller roads were sufficient to reach the area of Campo Imperatore in the heartland of the Abruzzi.

Just north of Italy’s spur, between the Tyrhennian and the Adriatic Sea, between Rome to the West and Pescara to the East, this Eldorado for Mountainbikers slumbers silently.. No „parla tedesco“ signs, no monstrous ski lift devices and no alpine tumult. Amidst several summits of nearly 3000 m altitude, sensational trails wait to be discovered.  I am not exaggerating when I say, the Apennine mountain range  easily matches up with the Alps. Wild peaks and soft hills constantly vary the scenery and offer a virtuous ride for the enthusiastic biker. Extremely steep trial tracks in the area of Gran Sasso, technical downhills in the Maiella-Group and more than enough sections with tough gravel roads to get good mileage in the National Park of the Abruzzi: Endless opportunities – deciding which trail to take is the toughest part of all. Whether you are a novice or a professional, a whack Downhiller searching for an adrenaline kick or a cross country lover looking for pure enjoyment, the Abruzzi offer something for everyone. Even hardcore trans-alp fetishists will be surprised.

Nowadays a big part of the Abruzzi region belongs to rigorously protected National Parks. But not to worry, there are no over eagerly installed consequences for Mountain bikers. The guys responsible make pragmatism a priority. There is no “two meter rule” or other blindfolded gimmicks. Consciousness – si, Spoil sport – no!

Castel del Monte, our full suspension  bikes draw an enormous interest. But it’s not the kids which pay attention to our goods on the roof rack of the car. The „anziani“, retired men which come together on the marketplace, comment with wild gesticulations and astonished yells towards our bikes. It’s unbelievable what two simple aluminium frames can provoke. To have an “anziano” move from his reserved space of the piazza can usually only be done by the Pope himself or the crash of a meteorite. But on this day, it’s been proven, that not all traditions are etched in stone.

Less than 20 km air distance from Castel del Monte, the Parco Naturale Sirente-Velino begins. It’s summits hardly reach the 2000m limit, but that doesn’t make much of a difference. Whether you reach out from Rocca di Mezzo, Rovere oder Celano with it’s fantastic Renaissance-Fort visible from the distance, whether you bike out for the West towards Monte Velino or to the East facing the Range of Monte Sirente trails, that’s all you see… trails, trails, trails. Too bad, the day only has 24 hours in it! We feel like crying!

The National Park of the Abruzzi exists since 1923 and is regarded as one of the oldest protected nature and wildlife habitats in Europe. Too many trails, not enough time. That’s the truth! We would be more than ready to bike at night but the locals advise us against it. Towards the dense forest of the park there are still about fifty bears and twice as many wolves hanging around. No reason to panic. These poor creatures have been chased for very long. They more than likely fear us more than we fear them. In the end, the wolves are probably easier to catch up with at a junkyard surrounding the little villages than in the wilderness.

But it’s not only because of the flora and fauna, or the delicate trails which make a trip in the Abruzzi worthwhile. Moreover, several interesting places of pilgrimage attract with various spectacular relics. For example, Pacentro: It’s the hometown of Madonna’s grandparents. The world famous pop icon’s grandparents emigrated in 1925, from that sweet little mountain village to big city of Detroit in the U.S. Who knows, you might be lucky and meet her there on a “back to the roots” tour. A few miles to the west lies Sulmona, hometown of the genius and poet Ovid. Every other “Baci” chocolate and loads of Chinese fortune cookies make sure his wisdom is spread with the little messages they contain. If you don’t like them so much, you can also get other, very tasty sweets in Sulmona. The prices are astronomical and worth their weight in gold. Regardless, it seems the „confetti“ are worth every single Lira and they are famous well outside the Abruzzi borders. At Signore Pelini’s, head of the traditional enterprise carrying his name, you can find a lot of pictures and VIP autographs and personal notes to the man himself. Beneath the portraits of two popes you will also find infamous soccer hero Diego Maradona grinning with his chubby cheeks down at you from the wall. By the looks of it, he probably receives the delicious sweets via airmail on a weekly basis.

Well, if the coking Kicker would have tried biking the days he spent in the Abruzzi, he’d probably still be in decent shape today. Because it’s the trails you’ll get addicted to here rather than any other substance. And I guarantee, they are definitely not on any international doping list.

Information:

Nationalparks:

Parco Nazional del Gran Sasso e di Monti della Laga: It’s the icing on the cake! The width of the landscape and the enormous dimensions resemble Mongolia or the High Sierras of Southern American Andes.

Starting Points for Monti della Laga: Ceppo and Cervaro.

For Gran Sasso: Pietracamela, San Stefano di Sessanio, Castel del Monte.

P.N. Sirente-Velino: two mountain ridges with scarce plateaus in between. Many forest roads and wide gravel-tracks. Starting points: Monte Cefalone, Rocca die Mezzo, Celano.

P.N. d’Abruzzo: Less rocky, but therefore a whole lot of fauna and flora (bears, wolves, vultures…). Starting points: All around the Lago di Barrea, Pescasséroli, Scanno (a little distance off the park at the eastern curb).

P.N. della Maiella: High, and intensely grown forests with picture perfect canyons and interesting caves. Starting points: Pennapiedimonte, Caramánico Terme, Pacentro.

In case of Emergency: Phone the Rescue Service 0862/31 20 10 or 6 18 30

Information: ENIT, (you got the adresses of the Italian ones!)

How to get there: next train station Avezzano, next airport ROMA and Pescara.

Best time of the year: May/June and September ( can be snowy already in October, especially at the Campo Imperatore)

Where to stay and eat:

Campo Imperatore:

Rifugio Campo Imperatore ( directly at the cablecar), approx. EUR 15,00 Lira in a dormitory, for Alpine Club members a 10 % discount is offered, good cuisine & little shop for snacks. Phone: 0862/ 40 00 11

Castel del Monte: Giant pizza and a reasonable priced overnight stay (Bike is allowed in the room) at Ristorante Albergo Miramonte, Tel. 0862/938142. Dal Gattone, Tel. 0862/ 93 84 46, a moderate looking restaurant, delicious and cheap!

Villeta Barrea: Nice rooms, typical Abruzzese cuisine and bike garage at the Hotel il Vecchio Pescatore, Tel. 0864/ 89274. Cheap rooms (Youth-Hostel-style) offers the Pinus Nigra, Tel. 0864/891 41.

Guidebooks/Maps:

Duilio Roggero, Mountain Bike in Abruzzo, Vol. I and Vol II, and Mountain Bike nel Parco nazionale d’Abruzzo“, about 30000 Lira. Good guidance, with maps, altitude profile and a CD.

For the Trails around Corno Grande and the Campo Imperatore you’ll need CAI Gran Sasso d’Italia, Scale 1: 25 000.

For P.N. Sirente – Velino: Cai Nr. 1 Gruppo Velino – Sirente und Nr. 2 Gruppi M. Ocre – M. Cagno – M. Cava – M. S. Rocco – M. Orsello – M. Puzzillo.

At the P.N. d’Abruzzo: Carta turistica, 1: 50000.

P.N. della Maiella: CAI Gruppo della Maiella

This article was published with the kind permission of the author, Norbert Hein. Inside-Abruzzo.com is not responsible for the information or author’s views expressed in this article.

“La Torre” was to my knowledge the very first restaurant in the historical center of Pretoro. And what a first it was. Pretoro is a very characteristic mountain town built directly upon the sloping walls of the Maielletta mountain (part of the Maiella range) at approximately 600 meters above sea level. On a clear day you can see the Adriatic over 30 kilometres away.

[Show as slideshow]

Being half Pretorese myself (on my mother’s side), I of course knew what was going on in the town because it was a main reference point when visiting the Abruzzo region. So I was very curious when I kept hearing from friends and family alike that I had to visit “the new place in town” which was restored in 1998. They would carry on with “…all the ingredients are from here, but they don’t cook it normally. Not the way we are used to. They change little things but it makes a big difference. The inside is of stone. They don’t have normal walls. It’s all rock and really nice.” And so on. I thought to myself “Maybe they are just getting carried away because it’s something new.” I must admit in shame that I actually waited 3 years before visiting La Torre for the first time… what a mistake!

Even though there is one serpentine road which runs through the historical centre, most of the town is accessible only by stairs, tunnels and tiny lanes which seem like a labyrinth to someone arriving for the first time. But La Torre is very accessible since you can drive all the way to the top of the town, park your car, and walk the few metres down some (of course) steps to the restaurant.

The only thing giving mention of a restaurant at all are the number of prize winning awards mounted beside the door: Gambero Rosso, Alberghi e Ristoranti, Esercizio Selezionato, Locale del buon Formaggio, Ristoranti d’Italia and last but not least, Osterie d’Italia. Otherwise one couldn’t imagine that behind the sliver of a door is actually quite a large establishment dug directly into the mountain side which has hosted up to 400 guests on its four floors. Upon entering, I immediately knew what everyone was talking about all those years.

The atmosphere is very warm due to the well chosen lighting which either comes from candles or designer lamps, adding a wonderful contrast to the raw and rugged walls. Due to the fact that there are four floors, you don’t notice the real size of the restaurant. The service and the food is impeccable. Concettina D’Innocenzo, the owner and manager of La Torre, is an A.I.S. Master Sommelier and you can therefore expect a variety of fine regional and national wines. In the warm months you can also ask to be seated on the terrace and enjoy the breathtaking panorama during your dining experience.

I notice I’ve gone on and on and still haven’t even reached the topic of the food. Well, needless to say, the menu is seasonal with only the freshest regional ingredients available and cooked to perfection every time. Prices? Who cares. Really!

66010 Pretoro (CH)

Hours of operation:
Open for dinner Wednesday to Sunday
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Telephone: +39.0871.898400
Telefax: +39.0871.898400

Website: www.latorredipretoro.com
E-Mail: info@latorredipretoro.com

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC

It should be made clear from the outset that the term montepulciano refers to the type of vine from which the grapes are harvested, while the name “Montepulciano d’Abruzzo” refers to a red DOC wine conforming to the standardised regulations. It should also be pointed out that there is no connection whatsoever between the montepulciano vines and the town of Montepulciano in the province of Sienna known for its “Nobile” and “Rosso” di Montepulciano which are produced with totally different grapes.

According to historical records, the Montepulciano vine was first grown in the Peligna Valley in the province of L’Aquila since the mid 18^th century as well as on the interior hillside of the province Pescara. Since the 1950’s, the vine has been raised in all of the hillside area near the coast and has become the main vine used in the region.

Grapes used to produce Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC wines may only originate from vines on hilly slopes or high mountain plateaux, no higher than 500 metres above sea level. The grape yield must not exceed 14.000 Kilograms per hectare and the minimum alcohol content level is 11,5% vol.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines are produced almost entirely of the Montepulciano grape but blending of up to 15% with other aromatic grapes from the region is allowed. After the harvest of 2006, several innovations have been instilled:

1. A “Riserva” label has been introduced and wines qualifying for the title must have been aged in Abruzzo for two years with a minimum of 9 months in wood casks for this period. The minimum alcohol content must be of 12,5% vol.

2. There are two new DOC sub-areas in the province of Pescara: the north west “Terra dei Vestini” which may not exceed a yield of 10.000 Kilograms per hectare and the “Terre di Casauria” located in the south west region of the province which may not exceed a yield of 9.500 Kilograms per hectare.

3. In regards to alcohol content, the minimum percentage for Montepulciano d’Abruzzo has been raised to 11,5% from the original 11,0% requirement.

4. The alcohol volume of the Montepulciano “Cerasuolo” variety has been raised to a minimum of 12%. The yield for this wine has seen a significant increase over the last few years, rising from approximately 300.000 hectolitres at the beginning of the 1990’s to 790.000 hectolitres in 2004.

Montepulciano are strong and resistant vines, they adapt well to various growing systems, and the grapes mature between the beginning and end of October. It can be enjoyed very young (6-8 months after harvest) and if matured for an extended period, for example in concrete vats or wood casks, it becomes more sophisticated. The wines tend to be dark ruby red in colour when they are young and take on a pomegranate hue when they mature. The nose, depending on the age of the wine, evokes the scent of violets, cherries, liquorice roots and spicy notes such as tobacco and roasted coffee beans. The wines also tend to be high on tannin content but round smoothly to reveal a velvety consistency when aged.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Cerasuolo DOC

Cerasuolo DOC is a sub-category of the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC in the sense that it is produced from the same grape but goes through a different vinification technique which only allows the skins to steep in the must for a short amount of time. The new techniques make use of controlled temperature conditions which help fix the primary bouquet and the proceed to mature in barriques or oak casks.

Cerasuolo has light cherry red hue with intensity and its bouquet is very fruity with cherry standing out. It tends to have a mid finish with an almond touch.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC

Trebbiano is Italy’s most widely grown white wine grape. The Trebbiano d’Abruzzo grapes used to make the DOC wines of the same name are harvested solely from vineyards in hilly countryside which must not exceed an altitude of 500 metres above sea level with the only exception to the rule being the fact that 600 metres above sea level are allowed if the vineyard is on a south face. This is a medium to late shooting vine which ripens at the end of September till the beginning of October.

The maximum yield of the grapes used for winemaking must not exceed 14.000 Kilograms per hectare and the minimum alcohol content is 11,5% vol. Trebbiano grapes cover a surface area of more than 13.000 hectares in the Abruzzo region producing approximately 190.000 hectolitres of DOC wines. Although this wine is generally not considered sophisticated by any means, Abruzzo is the only region in Italy able to bring out the most in its production.

Controguerra DOC

Controguerra is the latest addition to the list of DOC wines in the Abruzzo region and were first recognised as such in 1996. The grapes which are used to produce the Controguerra DOC wines are found in five specific areas: the town of Controguerra, Torano Nuovo, Ancarano, Corropoli and Colonnella, all in the province of Teramo.

The maximum yield per hectare must not exceed 12.000 Kilograms for red wines without any specific indication of the vine locations. For the white wines, the maximum yield per hectare must not exceed 14.000 Kilograms but here as well, no specific indication of the vine locations must be made. Other types of white Controguerra Doc include the Spumante, Chardonnay, Passerina and Pecorino.

Colline Teramane – DOCG

A new arrival on the Abruzzo wine scene was the recently acknowledged DOCG certificate awarded to the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo “Colline Teramane” label. The letters DOCG indicate a high quality wine whose origins and authenticity have been strictly controlled and guaranteed at the source. The DOCG certificate is valid for the wines from the 2003 vintage onward.

The production of the DOCG wines conform to very strict rules: the grapes may only be grown in a limited area, therefore only the most suitable wine growing soils in Teramo which is located in northern Abruzzo. The yield per hectare amounts to 9.500 kilos (compared to 14.000 kilos used for Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC wines). Blending of up to 10% with Sangiovese grapes is permitted and then aged in oak casks for at least two years. A “Riserva” title can only be earned if the wine was aged for three years and the alcohol content is a minimum of 12,5% vol.

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo “Colline Teramane” has always been considered easy to identify by wine experts since the full-bodied structure is enhanced by a more refined and drier flavour. Deep ruby red colour, with a bouquet reminiscent of cherries, liquorice, spices and velvety consistence and typically long finish. Suitable for accompaniment with game or grilled meats.

Article reproduced and amended from the Vinitaly 2007 Special(March)
with the kind permission of Gaudenzio D’Angelo, Directing
Editor and A.I.S. Director Abruzzo.