100% Ciliegiolo from Liguria, Italy

Wines from the Ligurian region haven’t achieved the recognition that many of the other wine regions of Italy have enjoyed. Until now. In recent years Pierluigi Lugano has made a personal crusade of seeking out the potential of indigenous grapes by working with local growers and winemakers in this incredibly beautiful area around Cinque Terra. One of the indigenous grapes to reach full potential under Pierluigi’s guidance is Ciliegiolo.

Once relegated as a cheap blending grape to soften the edges of Sangiovese, one of Italy’s premier grapes, it was discovered by viticulturalists that Ciliegiolo, along with an obscure indigenous grape from Campania, were the parents of Sangiovese! This discovery created an explosion of interest in Ciliegiolo.

It’s easy to taste the resemblance - this 100% Ciliegiolo has all the big cherry and raspberry flavors, evocative Mediterranean herbal bouquet, and long savory finish that’s found in Sangiovese.

Is it a red wine that wants to be a rose, or a rose that wants to be a red wine? You decide!