Region: Lazio
Quality Level in EU/Italian Wine Law: Cesanese del Piglio DOCG, Cesanese di Olevano DOC, Cesanese di Affile DOC
Primary Grape Varieties: Cesanese Comune and Cesanese di Affile
Pairs with: Pasta with red sauces, gnocchi, sausages and meat dishes
Wine Styles: Two distinct varieties and styles that include Cesanese Comune and Cesanese di Affile and the better wines are the latter made and labeled as Cesanese del Piglio DOCG. The wines are medium depth in color and with medium to medium plus tannins. The flavors include red cherry fruit, cinnamon spices, rose petal and white pepper.
Cesanese wines are grown inland from the sea in the Lazio region where Rome is located. The weather is warm and mediterranean overall but becoming continental as one reaches the Apennine Mountains. There is adequate rain overall and the soils are generally well balanced with only moderate organic material, well-draining but also able to hold water in hot summers.
Cesanese is semi-aromatic and very late ripening which means it needs heat and a long season to fully ripen. Many of the vineyards range from 300 m in elevation with a good deal of Cesanese planted further inland and at elevations up to 600m. The season is extended with cooling sea breezes and elevation depending on the vineyard siting and with a good diurnal range (especially with the inland sites and higher elevations). The breezes reduce overall disease pressure but Cesanese is relatively thin skinned and can suffer from Powdery Mildew. Since it is so late ripening, the grape can suffer from untimely autumn rains so harvest date and timing is critical.
The wine is highly vigorous but has the capacity to maintain quality at higher yields. Although, the better wines are controlled in the vineyard for yield and benefit from the lower fertility on the Apennine slopes.
All of this leads to the risk of underripe wines in cool vintages but overall, Cesanese will produce quality wines of moderate color, medium tannins (to medium +) and medium acidity and high alcohol.
Look for Cesanese del Piglio for the best examples as they require 90% of the grape and are the best locations.
Quality Level in EU/Italian Wine Law: Cesanese del Piglio DOCG, Cesanese di Olevano DOC, Cesanese di Affile DOC
Primary Grape Varieties: Cesanese Comune and Cesanese di Affile
Pairs with: Pasta with red sauces, gnocchi, sausages and meat dishes
Wine Styles: Two distinct varieties and styles that include Cesanese Comune and Cesanese di Affile and the better wines are the latter made and labeled as Cesanese del Piglio DOCG. The wines are medium depth in color and with medium to medium plus tannins. The flavors include red cherry fruit, cinnamon spices, rose petal and white pepper.
Cesanese wines are grown inland from the sea in the Lazio region where Rome is located. The weather is warm and mediterranean overall but becoming continental as one reaches the Apennine Mountains. There is adequate rain overall and the soils are generally well balanced with only moderate organic material, well-draining but also able to hold water in hot summers.
Cesanese is semi-aromatic and very late ripening which means it needs heat and a long season to fully ripen. Many of the vineyards range from 300 m in elevation with a good deal of Cesanese planted further inland and at elevations up to 600m. The season is extended with cooling sea breezes and elevation depending on the vineyard siting and with a good diurnal range (especially with the inland sites and higher elevations). The breezes reduce overall disease pressure but Cesanese is relatively thin skinned and can suffer from Powdery Mildew. Since it is so late ripening, the grape can suffer from untimely autumn rains so harvest date and timing is critical.
The wine is highly vigorous but has the capacity to maintain quality at higher yields. Although, the better wines are controlled in the vineyard for yield and benefit from the lower fertility on the Apennine slopes.
All of this leads to the risk of underripe wines in cool vintages but overall, Cesanese will produce quality wines of moderate color, medium tannins (to medium +) and medium acidity and high alcohol.
Look for Cesanese del Piglio for the best examples as they require 90% of the grape and are the best locations.
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