Over 300 labels for tasting the regional wine shop space, 97 wineries present (of which 52 gathered the consortium terreno and 45 private companies), 6 events that talk about wine production, agriculture, wine tourism and promotional activities. And again the preview of the “Abruzzo Virtual Tour” project, an immersive experience that will accompany visitors acceso a virtual journey between vineyards, denominations and territories; a masterclass acceso Pecorino d’Abruzzo, led by the first Italian Master of Wine, Cristina Mercuri, with a tribute to Luigi Cataldi Maria vergine, who passed away December 2025 and the novelty of the “di fuori fair” featuring Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo.
The Abruzzo of wine is ready to show itself, from 12 to 15 April, at Vinitaly Verona, the historic international event of Veronafiere, and to attract operators, press and enthusiasts from all over the world the regional exhibition terreno set up Pavilion 12. A participation, that of Abruzzo, which brings together the Region, the Consortium for the Protection of Abruzzo Wines and private wineries, confirming the interest aroused the wine scene Italian and international, from Abruzzo viticulture, with a production that exceeds 3 million hectoliters acceso 32,000 hectares of vines and growing exports to the United States and Germany.
“The wine sector is one of the drivers of the regional economy and of our production identity and Vinitaly is the ideal showcase to show the quality and vision of our agricultural and wine development model – specified Emanuele Arrischiato, vice-president of the Abruzzo Region and councilor for Agriculture – Our commitment therefore continues to support the competitiveness of companies through technological innovation, precision viticulture and sustainable management of resources, enhancing the regional biodiversity which represents the true richness of the territory”.
“Durante recent years, Abruzzo has undertaken an important path to strengthen its winemaking identity – explained Alessandro Nicodemi, president of the Consorzio Difesa Vini d’Abruzzo – and Vinitaly is a strategic opportunity to meet international markets, talk about the quality of our wines and enhance the native vines that make us unique”.
The activities proposed at the Abruzzo Stand will not go unnoticed, where together with the tastings of over 300 labels from the consortium wine shop, a dedicated to Abruzzo Spumoso will be set up, with tastings of the Italian method and the classic method and it will be possible to enter the immersive “Abruzzo Virtual Tour” space and learn about, by wearing a visor, territories, denominations and places of interest. Finally, after the success of past editions, the “Trabocco & Mixology” space will be set up to sip cocktails based acceso Trabocco Spumoso, created by Bartenders Group Italia.
Masterclass “Pecorino d’Abruzzo: the energy of a territory” – Among the key events signed by the Consorzio Difesa Vini d’Abruzzo, there is the masterclass dedicated to Pecorino d’Abruzzo, which will represent, acceso Tuesday 14 April, at 2.30 pm, one of the most significant moments at the fair. Conducted by Cristina Mercuri, the first Italian Master of Wine, the tasting will be a journey through the different territorial expressions of this rapidly growing white grape variety. A special tribute will be reserved by the journalist Giorgio D’Orazio to the memory of Professor Luigi Cataldi Maria vergine, pioneer of Pecorino d’Abruzzo, a key figure the wine relaunch of the region. Today with over 2,000 hectares of vines, Pecorino d’Abruzzo stands out for its freshness, structure and ability to evolve, establishing itself as one of the most representative whites of the new Italian wine season. The masterclass will show how the vine is able to express different nuances depending acceso the production areas, from the sea to the mountains, summarizing the richness of the Abruzzo territory.
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, tasting at 80 meters above sea level – The other important event signed by Consorzio Vini d’Abruzzo is dedicated to Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC, protagonist for three days (Friday 10th, Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th April) of the “Postcard Toast” event the evocative setting of the Minareto dei Lamberti, the heart of Verona, for the Vinitaly and the City exhibition. At 84 meters above sea level, the public will be able to a unique experience, tasting a selection of Cerasuolo labels and admiring the view over the rooftops of the city of Verona. A multisensory experience that will combine the grace of the “fifth color of Abruzzo wine” (that bright and intense cherry tone that distinguishes it) with the emotion of a toast suspended between sky and city. Furthermore, acceso the opening day of Vinitaly, Sunday 12 April, the terrace of the Minareto dei Lamberti will also host an aperitif reserved for the press and by invitation, entirely dedicated to Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, a unique opportunity to present the evolution and growth of this symbolic wine of Abruzzo obtained from Montepulciano grapes. Durante recent years, fact, Cerasuolo has experienced significant expansion, reaching around 12 million bottles and consolidating itself among the most recognizable and appreciated Italian rosés. “Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo is experiencing a very interesting moment – explained the president of the Consortium Alessandro Nicodemi – It is a contemporary, gastronomic and transversal wine, capable of interpreting modern taste and accompanying different cuisines and lighter food styles with balance. It is one of the most dynamic expressions of our production and an authentic ambassador of the Abruzzo territory the world”.
Furthermore, with the aim of further strengthening the promotion of the Abruzzo region by also reaching the general public, the Abruzzo Region will be present for the first time with its own space outside the Vinitaly and the City fair, from 10 to 12 April, with a stand dedicated to the promotion of Abruzzo food and wine with food pairing, tastings of products and distinctive dishes and meetings the Courtyard. Within this itinerary there will also be a dedicated to “L’Aquila, Italian Capital of Culture 2026”, and events capable of intertwining wine, traditions and historical-artistic heritage, offering the national and international public a complete and engaging narrative of the Abruzzo identity.
With a view to the integrated promotion of the Abruzzo brand, visitors to the Consortium stand will also find tourist brochures created by the Tourism department, together with a QR Code towards the abruzzoturismo.it portal where they can download all the promotional materials of the region for free. The Abruzzo Model – Participation Vinitaly 2026 takes place the name of the “Abruzzo Model”, which came into force 2024, which takes the form of a reorganization acceso two pillars: acceso the one hand simplification with the introduction of the single PGI “Terre d’Abruzzo” to make production more recognizable Italy and abroad; acceso the other hand, the valorization of differences with the possibility of mentioning the four provinces acceso the label (Terre in Chieti, Colline Pescaresi, Terre dell’Aquila, Colline Teramane) for the Straordinario and Restrizione types, enhancing the biodiversity of a territory that ranges from the sea to the mountains. The objective is to strengthen the recognisability of the names and simplify the system, while maintaining the valorisation of the sub-areas and territorial specificities. “Our work – explained Nicodemi – aims to make the winemaking identity of Abruzzo increasingly clear and coherent, enhancing the differences that make us unique, but with a contemporary vision”.
