Abbuoto is a black grape variety primarily cultivated in Lazio, Italy. Some scholars believe it was used in ancient Rome to produce Caecubum wine, which was praised by writers such as Pliny the Elder and Horace. However, this issue remains a topic of debate, especially since Caecubum is often reported as a white wine. Today, Abbuoto is mainly used as a blending variety, contributing body, phenols, and high sugar and alcohol content. In 2000, there were about 700 hectares of Abbuoto cultivated in Italy, all located in Lazio.
The Cultivation Territory of the Abbuoto Grape Variety
As mentioned, Abbuoto is almost exclusively found in Lazio, particularly around the towns of Fiuggi, Fondi, Formia, Monte San Biagio, and Terracina. Some vineyards are also present in Campania, around Sessa Aurunca, where the grape is often vinified in blends with Piedirosso and Primitivo.
Denominations of Origin Involving the Abbuoto Grape Variety
Abbuoto is permitted in several Controlled Denominations of Origin (DOC), including Aprilia DOC, where it is found as a varietal wine (min. 95%). In Atina DOC, Abbuoto is included in blends up to 15%, along with Cabernet Sauvignon (50-70% of the blend), Syrah (10-30%), Merlot (10-30%), and Cabernet Franc (10-30%). In the Castelli Romani DOC, Abbuoto can be part of the blends for red wines along with Cesanese Comune, Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Nero Buono, and Merlot. In the Genazzano DOC, the red wine type includes up to 20% Abbuoto, with other local red grape varieties like Sangiovese (70-90% of the blend) and Cesanese (10-30%). In the Tarquinia DOC, which extends into the provinces of Viterbo and Rome, Abbuoto can be present up to 30% with other local black grape varieties like Sangiovese and/or Montepulciano, which together must represent at least 60% of the blend, and Cesanese up to 25%.
Cultural Characteristics of the Abbuoto Grape Variety
The Abbuoto grape variety features large, dark-colored berries with thick skins. The grapes tend to ripen in the middle of the harvest season (from early to mid-October depending on the vintage) but can be subject to producing irregular and inconsistent yields.
Characteristics of the Wine Produced from the Abbuoto Grape Variety
When vinified alone, Abbuoto wine has a purple-red color, with aromas of red fruit, especially plums and blueberries. Depending on the aging process, there may also be spicy notes of coffee and hints of wood. On the palate, it is fresh, harmonious, with fine and elegant tannins. Ideal pairings include soups, red meats, and aged cheeses.
