February 25, 2020

Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo wine is a hearty rosé wine from Abruzzo, Italy.

Abruzzo is located between the Adriatic Sea and the massifs of Gran Sasso d’Italia and Majella, This region accounts for 6% of Italy’s wine production with red wine comprising 60% of its output. The predominant grapes grown are the Montepulciano (red) and Trebbiano (white) grapes, The Montepulciano grape is also used for the traditional Cerasuolo, a hearty rosé.

This rosé is so imortant to the region that in October 2010 a separate DOC (PDO) named Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo wine was established exclusively for the rosé wines. These wines were formerly labeled as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Cerasuolo.

Below are 6 good examples of these rosé wines.

This above picture shows that wine making styles are the difference here. The most obvious difference can be in the color. However, what they all share in common is that they are all made with 100% Montepulciano grape variety. The color is a cherry with various shades. All of them are filled with brightness and cherries in the aroma. In the mouth, you find red fruits of cherries and strawberries, maybe a bitter almond note along with enough tannin to make this an all food friendly wine but with a balance of acidity. All of the wines finish with freshness. I am including the alcohol level to show the variations that can be found.

Tenute Barone di Valforte Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo 2019

100% Montepulciano 12.5 % alcohol

Terzini Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo 2018

100% Montepulciano 14 % alcohol

Tenuta Terraviva Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Giusi 2018

100% Montepulciano 12.5%

Tenuta I Fauri – Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Baldovino 2018

100% Montepulciano 13.5%

Torre dei Beati Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Rosa-ae 2018

100% Montepulciano 13.5%

Masciarell- Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Villa Gemma 2018

100% Montepulciano 13% alcohol

My Favorite Win IS from this selection is the 2018 Tore dei Beati Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Rosa-ae.