Gessi diVini: Vineyards and Wines of Pretalucente

"Before long, we'll hear about other vineyards being revived among the rocks of the Maiella": this is the comment of agricultural historian Aurelio Manzi, one of the promoters of the rediscovery and promotion in Gessopalena of two ancient red grape vineyards that had been forgotten: Nero Antico from Pretalucente and Vedovella Nera from Pretalucente. Since the early 2000s, the municipality of Gessopalena has embarked on a project to recover and promote these two indigenous vineyards in collaboration with the Region of Abruzzo and the Universities of Teramo and Perugia, after some pioneering small producers began producing the wine in their cellars. Year after year, other enthusiasts and enological technicians joined in, including those from the Orsogna Winery, who succeeded in making the wine from Pretalucente a quality product, of which, as Gessopalena native Aurelio Manzi states, "we will soon be hearing more about."

Viticulture in the Gessopalena area has been practiced since ancient times, as evidenced by old land registries and the discovery of pressing basins and numerous remnants of dolia likely used to store wine. Building on this historical foundation, the goal of the project was to revive the history of viticulture in the area with a new focus on biodiversity. In 2003, the Nero Antico and Vedovella vineyards from Pretalucente were saved from extinction and brought to the attention of the Abruzzo Region for genetic identification. This recognition was achieved in the following years, leading to the ampelographic, agronomic, molecular, and enological characterization of the two vineyards.

The activity related to the DNA characterization and the bioactive molecules with beneficial health effects was entrusted to the Faculty of Biosciences and Agro-Food Technologies of the University of Teramo, led by Prof. Enrico Dainese. The drafting of the dossier for registration in the National Register of Vine Varieties was handled by Prof. Alberto Palliotti from the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences at the University of Perugia, while the historical documentation was prepared by Dr. Manzi. The experimental vinifications were carried out by the Orsogna Winery and the Montecristo Winery of the "Ciuffelli" Agricultural Technical Institute in Todi. The project's results showed that Nero Antico from Pretalucente is an indigenous vineyard with a unique profile, while Vedovella Nera from Pretalucente is an ecotype of Sangiovese found only in the Gessopalena area. The wines are surprisingly modern, attractive in flavor, rich in aromas, persistent, clean, uncompromising, and brilliant on their own.

"The registration of the indigenous Nero Antico vineyard from Gessopalena in the national vine register by the Ministry of Agriculture was for us an important achievement and at the same time a starting point to offer new opportunities to our territory," commented Mayor Mario Zulli, who thanked everyone who, in one way or another, made what seemed like a crazy idea a reality.

With the annual "Gessi diVini" event in September, featuring guided tastings and pairings with local products such as strozzapreti with fresh truffles or with tomato, pork loin with truffle petals or typical dressings, the vineyards and wines of Pretalucente have crossed municipal borders and are increasingly expanding in the region. Gessopalena has rediscovered its ancient roots, laying the foundations for new resources for the territory's economy and wine tourism.

Fuente: https://terrecarricine.it/consigli/vigne-e-vini-di-pretalucente-21931