by Andrew Chalk
FROM THE WINERY: La Valentina was established in 1990 by the di Properzio brothers and is a leading example of the modern renaissance of winemaking happening in Abruzzo, a region long undervalued for its quality wine production. The winery takes sustainability seriously and avoids the use of artificial or chemical products and all their estate vineyards are already farmed organically or are undergoing conversion to organic viticulture. La Valentina believes that the grapes local to the region, such as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, are perfectly suited to the land, and therefore they do not cultivate or purchase any international varieties. The winery has also worked to identify and invest in top vineyard sites for growing these local grapes and have acquired several vineyards at higher elevations in the foothills of the Apennines.
Cerasuolo D’Abruzzo is a distinctive and versatile rosé made from Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. As the red grapes destined to become a red wine undergo cold maceration, a portion of the juice is siphoned off and fermented like a white wine. A darker, more full-bodied expression of rosé, La Valentina’s Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo stands up to a wide range of summer delicacies.
TASTING NOTES
Appearance: Striking rose pink hue.
Nose: Fresh strawberry, grapefruit, white flowers;
Palate: Gravelly texture, strawberry fruit. Medium acid. Tried this with smoked salmon and it was a good match;
Good value.
Sample.
