When sharing white wine with family and friends I frequently inquire what Italian white wine they like best. The most typical reply is a red from Tuscany, more than likely a “extremely Tuscan” (a term created in the 80’s to explain a red mix from Tuscany which utilizes white wine grapes that aren’t native to Italy like Red Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah).
When I recommend a red wine from Lazio individuals look stunned and puzzled never ever mind the eyebrow raising glares when I utter the red white wine grape Cesanese. The area of Lazio stays a rather indefinable location frequently eclipsed by its next-door neighbors (Campania, Tuscany and Umbria). Typically visitors to Rome do not constantly understand that Lazio is the area that Rome calls home. Rome’s significance as the capital make it seem like a sanctuary in the desert, a landlocked island confined by the GRA, the highway which divides the city from rolling hills speckled with olive groves, orchards and vineyards. Just a brief drive beyond the city brings one to the land of the antique grape range Cesanese.
Take this confusion and include it to Lazio’s credibility for high volume production of low-cost neutral tasting gewurztraminers and you have an area with a tainted image. Much of the white wine that cleaned up on U.S. coasts was white. In spite of gewurztraminer accounting for most of white wine production in Lazio, the dry and warm weather condition of Lazio integrated with red volcanic soil discovered throughout much of the area are perfect for red white wines. The good news is some Lazio white wine makers have actually turned the corner from quality over amount and Lazio’s white wine culture in addition to red white wine production are enhancing.
Like Sangiovese is to Tuscany, Cesanese is to Lazio, perhaps the most essential and scrumptious red grape range of the area. The very best Cesanese red wines originate from vineyards around the towns Anagni, Piglio and Olevano Romano. No complete stranger to wine making, Piglio’s winemaking history go back to the first century BCE. Idea to be a favorite of Pope Innocent III and Bonifacius VIII, in the previous sweet and often carbonated Cesanese was the standard. Today they are normally dry and fruity with smooth tannins and blueberry, mulberry, violet and juniper scents. Pairings consist of pasta alla amatriciana, coda alla vaccinara and abbacchio (lamb) stew.
Here are a couple of vineyards for white wine fans to check out in Lazio. The wineries were picked for the quality of their white wine and to provide white wine drinkers a variety of varied vineyards from historical estates to little biodynamic white wine manufacturers to check out and take pleasure in.
Riccardi Reale Cellars
In 2010, Cantine Riccardi Reale was begun in 2010 by Lorella Reale and Piero Riccardi on Piero’s grandparent’s land. Lorella is an Italian Federation of Sommeliers (F.I.S.) licensed sommelier. Piero began his profession as a director for RAI while studying natural and biodynamic farming practices for enthusiasm beyond the “workplace”. Cantine Riccardi Reale produces biodynamic 100% Cesanese red wines planted on varied soil types in addition to gewurztraminers made with Malvasia Puntinata del Lazio and Riesling.
Casale della Ioria
Paolo Perinelli is the body and soul of this historical estate discovered in the sloping location of Ciociaria. One hour drive south of Rome, Casale della Ioria lies in the heart of the Cesanese del Piglio D.O.C.G. white wine making location. Set down at roughly 400 meters above water level, their olive trees and vineyards are surrounded by forests. Attempt the Casale della Ioria, Cesanese del Piglio D.O.C.G.
Damiano Ciolli
Damiano Ciolli is the young and enthusiastic white wine maker at the helm of the vineyard. A 5th generation white wine maker, he started bottling his white wine in 2001 when he took control of the vineyards from his Daddy Costantino. He is frequently kept in mind as the very first white wine manufacturer in Olevano Romano to approach quality production over amount, setting him apart from the pack. All operate in the vineyard is done by hand leading to 2 100% Cesanese red wines, Silene and Cirsium. Delight in Damiano Ciolli’s, Cesanese di Olevano Romano D.O.C. Silene for daily drinking, it’s fresh and filled with red cherry fruit tastes. Enjoy his Cesanese di Olevano Romano D.O.C. Cirsium with a leisurely Sunday lunch.
Migrant
Lorenzo Fanfarillo found his enthusiasm for vineyards and white wine production in 2000. In 2003 he and Giulio Milana produced Migrante to accentuate Cesanese di Olevano Romano. Like Daminao Ciolli they took a bet on quality over amount keeping yields low. Attempt Migrante, Cesanese di Olevano Romano DOC Consilium and Migrante, Cesanese di Olevano Romano DOC, Sigillum.
Lazio white wine manufacturers have not just maintained ancient wine making customs however likewise welcomed a sustainable and emotional technique, producing a tradition of red wines that genuinely embody the spirit of the land.
Wish to check out a vineyard or 2 with Casa Mia?
