2026-06-22
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo took center stage in Rome on June 18 as the Consorzio Tutela Vini d’Abruzzo staged a daylong tasting and discussion at Palazzo Ripetta aimed at raising the profile of the region’s distinctive rosé-style wine.
The event brought together press, trade professionals, creators and wine enthusiasts for guided tastings, producer meetings and a panel focused on the identity of Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC. The consortium framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to present Abruzzo’s wine heritage through its leading categories, including whites, reds, sparkling wines and Cerasuolo, which producers describe as one of the region’s most recognizable expressions.
A walk-around tasting featured 20 wineries: Fontefico, Fattoria Nicodemi, Mastrangelo, Buccicatino, Barba, Talamonti, Lidia e Amato, Torre Zambra, Giuseppe Simigliani, Marramiero, Guardiani Farchione, Barone Cornacchia, Agricola Olivia, Citra, Casal Thaulero, Nododivino, Colle Moro, Vini Biagi, Tenuta Terraviva and Tenuta I Fauri.
During an afternoon talk for the press, actress and sommelier Francesca Valtorta said Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo stands out for combining traits often associated with both white and red wines. She described it as fresh and acidic like a white wine but with a complexity closer to red wine, making it flexible at the table. She also said the wine remains underrecognized in Italy relative to its potential.
Alessandro Nicodemi, president of the Consorzio Tutela Vini d’Abruzzo, said the wine has deep roots in everyday life in Abruzzo, where it was once seen as a “first red” served with simple family meals. He said current consumer habits favor fragrant, immediate and versatile wines and argued that Cerasuolo fits those preferences well. He added that the consortium is also working on technical and scientific research to define more precisely the elements that make the wine distinctive, starting with its deeper color intensity compared with other rosés.
The discussion also included Alessandro Scorsone, a state ceremonial official and longtime AIS master sommelier, and Fabrizio Colaianni, head sommelier at Mirabelle. Scorsone called for a more natural and accessible approach to wine centered on pleasure and connection. Colaianni focused on the sensory profile of Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, citing aromas of cherry and small red berries, along with freshness, structure and an ability to evolve over time while retaining its visual brightness.
Emanuele Imprudente, vice president of the Abruzzo region and regional agriculture official, said the Rome event showed that Abruzzo’s wine sector is increasingly able to present itself with clarity and ambition. He said the regional government would continue supporting promotional efforts designed to strengthen the position of Abruzzo appellations in domestic and international markets.
The day ended with an evening tasting and food pairing in the garden courtyard of Palazzo Ripetta built around Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo’s compatibility with Roman cuisine. Italy’s agriculture minister, Francesco Lollobrigida, attended along with other institutional guests from government, agriculture and media. Organizers Andrea Amoruso Manzari and Serena Scarpel oversaw the Rome program as part of their ongoing promotional work for Abruzzo wines.