From: Marche, Italy
Varietal: Montepulciano
Taste: The 2023 Le Vigne di Faraone Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC is not your typical rosé. Its vibrant cherry red color is reminiscent of a light red wine. The sensory experience begins with a bouquet of cherry and rose aromas. Raffaele Mosca of decanter.com describes this wine as a "dark Cerasuolo that could be easily mistaken for a light red" and notes its "hearty aromas of dark cherry, smoke, licorice, and rust." The full-bodied *for a rosé/light red wine* palate is bursting with luscious flavors of pomegranate and bramble, underpinned by a mineral tang that extends into a deep, tactile, and slightly earthy finish.
Pairing: The versatility of the 2023 Le Vigne di Faraone Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC makes it an ideal companion to a variety of dishes. The winemaker recommends pairing it with cold-cuts, appetizers, spaghetti alla chitarra, white meats, and pizza.
Polenta ‘Pizza’ With Pancetta and Spinach
By Mark Bittman
About. The enchanting region of Abruzzo in Italy is a haven for wine lovers. Nestled between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine Mountains, the area boasts an impressive collection of wines, with one of its exceptional offerings being the Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo. Among these, the 2023 Le Vigne di Faraone Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC holds a special place.
A Legacy of Excellence
Le Vigne di Faraone's story traces back to the 1930s. The Faraone family farm, initially cultivating Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Passerina, and, more recently, Pecorino, has grown from strength to strength. The family made a significant leap forward in 1970 when they started bottling their wines, including the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo,
Trebbiano d'Abruzzo, and Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo, all bearing the prestigious DOC or DOCG Colline Teramane labels. The Faraone IGT label was later added to showcase their local wines.
2003 marked a significant milestone for the winery as Giovanni Faraone, the current co-owner, gained recognition for the first DOCG in Abruzzo, the Terama Hills.
A True Taste of the Land
Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo represents the heart and soul of the region's winemaking tradition. Cerasuolo, meaning "cherry red" in the local vernacular, is the traditional house wine of the Abruzzo people. It is made from Montepulciano grapes, fermented with skins for a brief period to extract a minimal amount of color and tannins. This results in a wine that is not quite a rosé but embodies the essence of the noblest part of the grape, the "flower must."
Today, Le Vigne di Faraone produces Cerasuolo by drawing off a portion of the juice from the grapes destined to become classic Montepulciano after about 48 hours of maceration. This process ensures that the Cerasuolo retains its delicate color and flavors without undergoing any pressing action.
