The area under vines in Abruzzo it exceeds 35,000 hectares, of which almost 90% is located in the hills, while 10% is represented by mountain viticulture. The wine scene is characterized by the presence of native vines, both black and white. The most famous grape is the Montepulciano, widespread throughout the regional territory and neighboring regions, where it forms the basis of DOC wines such as Rosso Piceno and Rosso Conero in the Marche and Rosso Biferno in Molise. This vine has a certain rusticity, is resistant to parasites (although it has a certain sensitivity to powdery mildew) and in the middle Abruzzo hills it enhances its characteristics to the best, especially as regards the content of polyphenolic substances, in particular anthocyanins and tannins responsible for the Red. The Montonico it is a native vine, grown between the municipalities of Bisenti and Cermignano, on the slopes of the Gran Sasso, where the day-night temperature range is considerable especially in summer. From it a wine with unique characteristics is produced, both in the still version and in the sparkling version with the classic method. There Passerina it is mainly cultivated in the Teramo area in the municipalities of Controguerra and neighboring areas, up to beyond Giulianova (today throughout the region). The Trebbiano d'Abruzzo it is known for its high acidity and is usually used as a cut to give freshness to the grapes. There Cococciola is a white grape variety, with large grapes from the province of Chieti, cultivated in particular in the municipalities of Vacri and Villamagna. The Pecorino cheese it is typical of the Piceno-Aprutina ridge, although its origin seems to be that of the mountain municipalities such as Visso, Arquata del Tronto and neighboring ones. The Sangiovese it is also inevitable in Abruzzo, as in all the queens of central Italy. Among the international white grape varieties, Chardonnay, Pinot bianco and Pinot grigio and Merlot, Cabernet franc and Cabernet sauvignon with black grapes.