Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC Superiore

Rose’

Abv 13.5%

Serving Temp. 8-10 °C | Storage Temp. 15-18 °C

Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo is a Denomination and Appellation of quality, not just a rosè version of other wines or appellations. The Cerasuolo d’ Abruzzo, made from 100% Montepulciano grape, is a far more interesting wine produced by keeping the must in limited contact with the grape skins (typically rosé wines have no additional skin contact after crushing). Just a few hours of contact give this wine a darker colour than the blush pink most rose’ drinkers would expect. But do not judge a rosé (or any other wine) only by its colour. The quality appellation was created in October 2010, and covers the cherry-red, brightly flavoured wine formerly labelled as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Cerasuolo. It is a native variety of central Italy and in particular of the Abruzzo region. Both sea and the mountains are just a few miles from La Quercia winery, and the air from the sea warms up the vineyards on high altitudes, leading to higher alcohol content in the wine. However, when you taste this Cerasuolo Superiore (equivalent to a Riserva), the alcohol content is not overpowering at all.

Cerasuolo Superiore “Prima Madre” is fresh, dry, with light tannins on the palate and expresses the fruit and herbs of the landscape, combining the freshness of a rosé wine with the robustness of the Montepulciano grapes. In essence, Cerasuolo is a delicious summer wine.

Like all other wines from La Quercia, also the name of this Cerasuolo has an historical connotation.  Since ancient times the Oak Tree (La Quercia) or Ancient Mother (“Prima Madre“) was considered a sacred and oracular tree. Its cult dates back to the prehistory of Roman, Greek and Celtic civilisations. It was the tree preferred by the Gods and Men, so much that preserving a chip of this wood was believed to protect from misfortunes. This ancient belief reached, slightly modified, our recent history, when in Abruzzo oak leaves stricken by lightning were collected and given to the soldiers leaving to go to war. This “talisman” was believed to protect them from bullets, because lightning only strike once in the same place.