Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo

History and origin

In Abruzzo the vine has ancient roots: the Abruzzo wine consortium recalls references ranging from Polybius to Ovid. Until the Renaissance winegrowing was concentrated mainly in the Valle Peligna, in the province of L'Aquila; after the unification of Italy it changed quickly, and over the last forty to fifty years it has specialised, moving from the hardest areas to the hills near the sea.

The main character of this story is Montepulciano, a red grape firmly documented in Abruzzo since the mid-eighteenth century and today the most widely planted in the region. Its grapes give both the red Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and a rosé that for a long time was a type within the same designation, Cerasuolo.

Today Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo is a designation of origin in its own right, registered in the European system of geographical indications, and the consortium protects it together with Abruzzo, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo and Villamagna DOC.

Sources: Consorzio Tutela Vini d'Abruzzo — Il territorio · Consorzio Tutela Vini d'Abruzzo — Vini tutelati · eAmbrosia — Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo (PDO-IT-A0743)

Area and method of production

The production area takes in many municipalities in Abruzzo's four provinces: Chieti, L'Aquila, Pescara and Teramo. The Rosato is made from at least 85% Montepulciano grapes, with an optional share of other red grapes allowed in the region. The colour comes from brief contact between must and skins during fermentation, stopped before the wine turns red. It may not be sold before 1 December of the harvest year.

The Rosato Superiore always carries the name of one of four sub-zones: Terre di Chieti, Terre Aquilane or Terre de L'Aquila, Colline Pescaresi and Colline Teramane. For these versions Montepulciano rises to at least 90%, the wine matures for at least five months from 1 November and goes on sale no earlier than 1 April of the following year. Terre di Chieti may also name four additional geographical units, and with the sub-zone the single vineyard may be stated.

In Abruzzo's vineyards the most common training system is the pergola abruzzese, while new plantings mostly use rows.

Sources: Qualigeo (Fondazione Qualivita) — Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOP · Consorzio Tutela Vini d'Abruzzo — Il territorio

How to recognise it

Colour is its hallmark: Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo is a rosé of a more or less deep cherry pink, recognisable at first glance in the glass. It comes from that brief contact between the must and the Montepulciano skins, judged by the winemaker.

On the nose it is pleasant, finely vinous, fruity, delicate and intense. On the palate it is dry, soft and balanced, gentle, sometimes with a pleasant almond finish.

The basic version reaches the market as early as 1 December of the harvest year, a few months after picking. The Superiore versions with a sub-zone, which rest longer before release, also tell where they come from: the hills around Chieti, L'Aquila, Pescara or Teramo.

Sources: Qualigeo (Fondazione Qualivita) — Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOP

Where to taste it

Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo can be found throughout the region, but the heart of Abruzzo winegrowing is the hill country of the province of Chieti, home to about three quarters of the vineyard area; Pescara and Teramo follow, with L'Aquila holding a smaller share. Much of the wine comes from co-operative wineries, alongside many private estates that bottle under their own label.

To discover it on the spot, the consortium runs Abruzzo Wine Experience, a wine tourism portal with itineraries, cellar visits and experiences, and more than two hundred places of taste and sites of historical, artistic and natural interest.

A trip through the hills around Chieti can combine wineries with the coast and the inland villages, while in the L'Aquila area the Valle Peligna keeps the memory of the region's oldest winegrowing.

Sources: Consorzio Tutela Vini d'Abruzzo — Il territorio · Consorzio Tutela Vini d'Abruzzo — Enoturismo, Abruzzo Wine Experience · Consorzio Tutela Vini d'Abruzzo — Vini tutelati

Protection

• DOC, PDO wine — PDO-IT-A0743 (eAmbrosia — Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo (PDO-IT-A0743))

When

• The sources consulted give no months.

Where

Abruzzo

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