What’s Special about Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo?
“I’m not a rosé wine person.”
That was my response when offered a glass of Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo for the first time. So it took me quite a while to even give it a try. Years, in fact, before I really got to know this special and prestigious wine.
I now happily admit having been wrong, and Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo has become one of my favorite wines. Here are the three reasons why:
1. The color.
The word “cerasuolo” means cherry-colored, and the intense cherry-pink color is the first thing that catches your attention. The secret?
The grape, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, is a red grape variety with strong color pigments. Cerasuolo is obtained by white vinification of Montepulciano grapes, meaning no contact between the skins and the must during maceration.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is one of the top grapes grown in Italy, and one of the most exported DOC wines. It’s natural that our region’s rosé has been closely associated with its red cousin. Montepulciano and Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo were part of the same DOC for decades until 2010. That’s when our beloved rosé got recognized as an independent DOC wine.
2. The scent.
A great Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo is fruity. Close your eyes and you’ll detect a perfume of red berries: strawberry, cherry, raspberry ... followed by some flowery and spicy notes. It’s fresh and intense, but not too persistent, a well balanced wine.
You should serve it in a classic red wine glass that gives it space to release the fruity and floral notes. And allows you to admire the brilliant color.
3. The flavor.
Just as you’d expect from the scent, the flavor is fruity. And, as is typical of the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo grape variety: dry, softly tannic, with fine body.
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo is a wonderfully versatile wine. It combines well with pretty much everything. Here in Abruzzo, we drink it as an aperitif, for instance, accompanied by cold cuts and cheeses. As well as at lunch or dinner, with fish or meat dishes. I also love it with a crunchy red pizza.
Rosé wines are typically enjoyed young. One of the unique qualities of this rosé wine is that it ages well. I’ve had the pleasure of tasting aged Cerasuolos a few times, and have been pleasantly surprised. This wine gains character with years so I’m now trying to keep a few bottles in the cellar for the late 2020’s!
Hear it from the expert
On this video, wine maker Nicola Altieri from the Fontefico winery shares the secrets of their Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo.
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Email: anita@palazzoflorio.com
Happy greetings from Vasto!
Anita
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