Despite a long tradition of making highly rated rosé, both Italian production and consumption of rosato, as they call it, has been falling since 2000. Not many bottlings make it to the United States either, but when found they represent exceptional values and, typically, offer a stark contrast in aroma and taste to French and domestic shades of pink alike. So this month we decided to bring you two Italian rosés for summer sipping!
Tuscany, famed for its rich reds, has also garnered a reputation for producing superb rosé. The diverse terroir and warm Mediterranean climate of this region yield optimal growing conditions for grapes, resulting in refreshing and refined rosés. Tuscany boasts an extensive selection, predominantly crafted from the Sangiovese grape, as well as other native varieties like Canaiolo and Colorino. These grapes contribute lively acidity and distinct flavors that set Tuscan rosés apart. Exhibiting a delicate pale pink hue, these wines often exude fragrances of ripe fruits like strawberries, cherries, and watermelon, accompanied by subtle floral undertones.
Our Tuscan selection this month comes from one of the oldest sites in the region. Close to excavations of an Etruscan township, it is possible that wine has been produced at Riecine for thousands of years. Church archives from 1112 A.D. provide the earliest known record of the place, and a nearby monastery owned the land from that date into the 20th century. In 1971, John Dunkley, a British businessman, and his Italian wife, Palmina Abbagnano-Dunkley, purchased the land and founded the Riecine label. Farming organically from start, John and Palmina quickly established Riecine as a vital source of first rate Chianti Classico. The care with which they approached their flagship reds is evident in their ‘Palmina’ rose of Sangiovese as well.
Situated in the heart of Italy, Abruzzo is also renowned for its exquisite rosé. With a centuries-old winemaking legacy, this region has mastered the art of crafting elegant and invigorating pink that captivate wine enthusiasts worldwide. Like its Tuscan neighbor, Abruzzo is blessed with a Mediterranean climate, characterized by scorching summers and mild winters, that offers optimal conditions for grape cultivation. The vineyards, nestled amidst mountains and coastal plains, benefit from refreshing sea breezes that play a vital role in maintaining acidity levels and creating harmonious flavors in the resulting wines. While Abruzzo boasts several indigenous grape varieties crucial to its rosé production, the most renowned is Montepulciano.
Established in the early 1970’s in Bolognano, in the heart of Abruzzo at the base of Gran Sasso – the highest mountain in the Apienne range - Marcello Zaccagnini’s eponymous winery has always been tied to the land. His slogan, “Wine, art of man”, comes from his work with the world renowned naturalist artist, Josef Beuys - an early proponent of sustainability - and his work on “Defense of Nature”. The tralcetto (stick) on every bottle is an actual grapevine cutting from the vineyards that is cut and tied by hand, representing the connection between the wine and the land. Zaccagnini’s mission is to invest in and promote the culture of the people, environment and wine-making processes that represent the values of Abruzzo, as well as making the winery a cultural hub for artists, musicians, scholars and wine enthusiasts. Marcello has accumulated a world class art and sculpture collection that is on public display in the winery, as well as in the vineyards, and supports many art festivals throughout the year. His sparkling rosé, made from 100% Montepulciano grapes, is a delectable example of this philosophy at work.
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2021 Zaccagnini Brut Rosé IGT |
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Region/Country of Origin: Bolognano, Pescara, Abruzzo, Italy |
About the Vineyards: The 500 acres of the estate of Ciccio Zaccagnini is located in Bolognano, alongside the Rome-Pescara highway, in the province of Pescara. It is situated approximately 30 miles from the coast and about 8 miles from the Maiella Mountainwhich rises 9,000 ft. The vineyards are located in the cru section called "Colle Morto di Bolognano". About the Winemaking: The wine is made using the Charmat method, which is a method of sparkling wine production which involves secondary fermentation in a sealed tank. The grapes are gently pressed and the juice is fermented at a cool temperature (12 °C) in stainless steel tanks. This preserves the delicate fruit aromas. A second fermentation of the wine occurs with selected yeasts at a controlled temperature in pressure tanks. The foaming lasts 10/15 days. 100% Montepulciano. Tasting Notes: The wine is brilliant pink in color. It has a fine and persistent perlage. Aromas include notes of cherry, currant, blueberry and orange blossom. The wine is well-balanced, lingering, fragrant, with pleasant acidity and a smooth finish. |
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Winemaker: Federica Lauterio |
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Price per bottle / Price per case: $20.99/$226.70 |
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Suggested Food Pairing: Enjoy by itself as an apéritif, or with fresh oysters, shellfish, crab cakes, or grilled sea bass. It also pairs with vegetable quiche, lemon chicken, and Thai curries. |
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2022 Riecine Palmina Rose |
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Region/Country of Origin: Toscana IGT, Italy |
About the Vineyards: From an agronomic point of view , all the Riecine vineyards have been farmed in an ICEA certified organic regime since 2006. They are all planted with grasses, the weeding of the inter-rows is purely mechanical, trimming and leaf-stripping are completely eliminated. The aim is to face the increasingly severe and sudden climate change: they tend to favor a natural protection of the soil from excessive evaporation and shield the vines themselves from solar radiation and increasingly torrid summer temperatures. They also try to promote the establishment of native microfauna. About the Winemaking: Grapes are Harvested "green"; around 25 days before the rest of the vintage, by hand and sorted on a vibrating sorting table, destemmed, macerated in Nomblot concrete tanks (55hl), fermented with indigenous yeast at 15° C for 40 days with crushing downs & pumping overs. 11 months in old Tonneau. At least 3 months of bottle aging. 100% Sangiovese. Tasting Notes: Deep salmon pink in color, this rosé boasts a fragrant bouquet of white rose petals and subtle raspberry notes, enhanced by a touch of savory spice. The palate is refreshing and crisp, with a lingering, slightly dry finish. Elevate any occasion with this elegant and sophisticated rosé. A light and fruity palate, supported by good structure, acidity and grape tannins, all in perfect balance. Lovely citric acidity with fruity notes of strawberry and peach. |
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Winemaker: Alessandro Campatelli |
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Price per bottle / Price per case: $21.99/$ |
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Suggested Food Pairing: Surprisingly good with Mediterranean cuisine and a little bit of spice such as tajine and pastilla. |
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