Deep pink color; strawberry, raspberry, cherry, cherry candy, plum, cranberry, rose petals on the nose and palate.
Dry; no noticeable tannins, zesty acidity. Medium body. Luxurious in the mouth. Smooth, vibrant easy drinker. Impressive length. Cerasuolo is Italy’s stellar region for producing rosé using montepulciano grape. Masciarelli began producing this in 1986, just five years after the winery’s founding, and their decades of experience shows in this consistently tasty, excellent effort. 14% ABV
Grapes are pergola trellised. After harvest, destemming, and pressing, the juice rests on the must for 24 hours of maceration, resulting in the vivid, rich color. The wine is then racked and fermented in stainless steel. No oak influence.
Montepulciano is classic grape of central Italy, most prominently in Abruzzo, where this wine is made. There is a Tuscan town (75 miles southeast of Florence) named Montepulciano where very highly valued Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is made—but that red wine does not use montepulciano grapes, it uses sangiovese. That famous red wine gets its name because it only is made in the town of that name. Surely you are not surprised wine can be so confusing, especially in the Old World.
Masciarelli Tenute Agricole was founded in 1981 by Gianni Masciarelli, a promoter of modern wine production in Abruzzo. The center of the operation is the winery in San Martino sulla Marrucino in the province of Chieti and includes some 300 acres of vineyards and olive groves in 13 municipalities in all four provinces of Abruzzo in central Italy, east of Rome on the Adriatic coast. There also is a Masciarelli-restored castle, Castello di Semivicoli, which serves as hotel, restaurant, and houses various elements of the winery.
Gianni died in 2008, but his wife Marina Cvetic continues the operation as owner, winemaker, and operations manager. The winery has 18 labels and five product lines: Classic Line, Gianni Masciarelli, Villa Gemma (this is example), Marina Cvetic, and Castello di Semivicoli with an annual production of more than 2.5 million bottles.
Masciarelli Villa Gemma Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Superiore Rosé DOC 2022 is fresh and fruity with impressive depth and length. Masciarelli has been making this from Italy’s premier rosé region for almost four decades and their insight and skill set shows. A rosé with heft and fascinating dimensions for your palate to explore. Pair with shellfish; lean fish; pan-seared tuna; fish soups; salads; charcuterie board with fresh fruits; appetizers and snacks; lighter meats—pork, chicken—not encumbered by heavy sauces; prosciutto; pasta dishes. Cheese—parmigiano, grana padano; medium-aged cow’s milk cheese; goat and sheep’s milk cheeses; semi-seasoned cheeses. $15-20
