Cerasuolo Rosato, Tiberio

This isn’t rosé playing dress-up — it’s Montepulciano showing off its lighter side. The glass glows a vivid cherry-red, and the flavors follow suit: tart cherry, redcurrant, and wild strawberry, with a snap of pomegranate skin and a whisper of herbs. There’s a gentle tannic bite — more than a rosé, less than a full-bodied red — and a lively acidity that makes it incredibly food-friendly. Chill it lightly and you’ll find it refreshes like rosé but delivers the grip and shape of a red.

‘Cerasuolo’ is an Italian term meaning ‘cherry-red’ that refers to a style of wine known for their distinct cherry color and flavor profile, and famously found in Abruzzo and Vittoria. Made from 100% Montepulciano, the grapes spend just enough time on skins to pull in that deep cherry hue and a touch of tannin. Fermented in stainless steel to preserve snap and clarity, then bottled without oak influence. It’s all about energy and fruit purity.

Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo is legally a rosato, but Montepulciano’s thick skins give it a depth and structure that set it apart. Italians often treat it as a chillable light red — served cold like rosé in summer, then poured alongside hearty dishes the rest of the year. It straddles categories in the best possible way.