Cirelli Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo '24

Cirelli Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo '24Francesco Cirelli is among the most interesting producers to emerge from Abruzzo in the past few decades, or perhaps ever. All his wines seem to channel his passion for the land and winemaking, and he exemplifies the concept of sustainability. At his farm, where he practices organic and biodynamic viticulture, there are vineyards as well as other forms of agriculture and farm animals, all surrounded by 23 hectares of land located only 8 kilometers, or

Francesco Cirelli is among the most interesting producers to emerge from Abruzzo in the past few decades, or perhaps ever. All his wines seem to channel his passion for the land and winemaking, and he exemplifies the concept of sustainability. At his farm, where he practices organic and biodynamic viticulture, there are vineyards as well as other forms of agriculture and farm animals, all surrounded by 23 hectares of land located only 8 kilometers, or 5 miles, from the Adriatic Sea. To Cirelli, it is vital to incorporate all aspects of a farm to achieve true sustainability. Crop rotation, natural fertilization, and free-range animal grazing are practiced at the farm, and Cirelli produces olive oil, vegetables, fruit, and meats in addition to wine. Agricola Cirelli is a certified organic farm.

Cirelli’s Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo is a deep-hued rosé made from the Montepulciano variety. Of course, with Cerasuolo, there is always the fun question: is it a rosé, or is it really a very light red wine? The answer is yes. It has the chillable refreshment of rosé, but the color, structure, and table-readiness of something that nudges toward red wine territory. The dark color comes from the must spending time in contact with Montepulciano’s deeply pigmented skins, producing a rosé that is notably darker than the norm.

The grapes are manually harvested, and the wine is fermented with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel vats, where it is then aged. The nose is fruity and vivid, with red berry notes, savory herbs, and a touch of citrus rind. On the palate, the wine shows salinity and a mineral texture, balancing its fruitiness with freshness and grip. This is a delicious food wine that will go with almost anything on the table, from vegetable dishes to seafood to meats, including dishes with a little heat and spice.