Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Superiore “Fossimatto” 2023 Fontefico

The Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Superiore DOC 'Fossimatto' from the Fontefico winery is a full-bodied rosé with the character of the land it comes from. Structured and juicy on the palate, it expresses lively notes of red fruits. Cerasuolo is a wine that cannot be missing from the references of Abruzzo wineries, in fact it is one of the most prestigious and well-known rosé wines in Italy, unique in its kind. Its name comes from the Latin 'Cerasum', which means cherry, in reference to its characteristic colour, which is closer to that of some red wines than to traditional rosés. Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Superiore 'Fossimatto' is made from pure Montepulciano red grapes grown on the Vigna del Pozzo estate, 120 metres above sea level on the promontory of Punta Penna, near the coastal town of Vasto. The rows of vines face east and are trained in the Abruzzi pergola system, typical of the area. The soil is rich in skeleton, with some iron and clay, and is not easy to cultivate. At Fontefico, respect for the environment is fundamental, so the vineyard is cultivated organically and the wine is left to express itself in the cellar without any intervention. The vinification is white, even if we start with red Montepulciano grapes; the grapes are destemmed and crushed, then a soft pressing takes place and the must is left to ferment spontaneously, without the addition of selected yeasts, in temperature-controlled steel tanks. At the end of this process, the wine matures for 6 months in steel tanks before being bottled. It is then aged in the bottle for at least 3 months. The deep rosé colour is sensual and reminiscent of ripe cherries. At first sniff, it reveals an unmistakable aroma of blackcurrants and raspberries that delights the palate and nose with remarkable complexity and elegance, the finish is long and well composed.