Cerasuolo DOC or Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC dates from 2010 (previously called Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Cerasuolo DOC), a dark pink (‘rosato’) version of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC from the Abruzzo region on the Adriatic coast of Italy. It is usually made as a ‘salasso’, bleeding juice off Montepulciano grapes no more than a few hours after they arrive in the fermentation tanks. It can be medium-bodied, perhaps best with food rather than an aperitif.

Production zone: Anywhere below 600 metres (1,970 feet) in the Abruzzo region’s four provinces: L’Aquila inland in the western hills, and Teramo, Pescara, and Chieti from north to south along the Adriatic coast.

Wineries: Cantina Tollo. | CITRA. | Fattoria La Valentina.

Wines

Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC: Typical flavours: strawberry, morello cherry, almonds.

Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC Superiore:

Wineries

Certified organic: Torre Raone (Loreto Aprutino).

No certification: Masciarelli (San Martino sulla Marrucina).

Bibliography

Oz Clarke 2015, Oz Clarke Wine A-Z (Pavilion, 2015), p.24.