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Ciliegiolo d’Italia, at its fourth edition, stands out as an effective event to promote a wine that is gaining great interest from central Italy (and beyond): the red Ciliegiolo that can be defined as fruity, juicy and relatively light with soft tannins, certainly immediate but never evanescent or weak.

ciliegiolo for tasting

Ciliegiolo corresponds to the current demand for immediate and easy-drinking wines but the risk is that this kind of trend could remain temporary or unknown to the most, while, thanks to events like this one, focused on a specific grape variety, it is possible to create a solid identity around such a wine right because, as mentioned, it is known for being immediate and so it does not need many explanations.

Ciliegiolo d’Italia takes place in the town of Narni, southern Umbria (central Italy), which is now – thanks to this light and juicy wine – synonymous with a new regional trend since Umbria is better known for its powerful reds: Torgiano (mainly made with Sangiovese) and the super-tannic Sagrantino. Indeed, Narni also gives the name to the local appellation “Ciliegiolo di Narni” whose Association of producers is one of the main promoters of the event.

narni – details

An event, this year held on May 19 and 20, which is a wonderful opportunity to discover a number of producers focused on Ciliegiolo, yet to distinguish the different regional styles, in particular the Umbrian and Tuscan ones; finally to make interesting reflections during the thematic seminars guided by some well-known Italian wine critics (such as, for example, Armando Castagno and Carlo Macchi) who underlined how the vast Italian panorama offers a wide range of wines that we could be defined as easy-drinking, fruity and immediate as Ciliegiolo (Bardolino in Veneto, La Schiava in Aldo Adige, Piedirosso in Campania, Rossese in Liguria, Dolcetto in Piedmont and so on). A crucial analysis especially useful to escape from the cliché that has gripped us for years according to what an “important” wine must be “alcoholic, hyper-concentrated and/or powerful in order to be also able to age for years and years”.

guided tasting with Carlo Macchi

 

As usual, here is my top wine list:

CILIEGIOLO D’ITALIA 2018: UMBRIA region

(where, basing on the wines for tasting, the style seems to point out finesse and vivacity):

 

  • ROSSO NARNI IGT 2017 “05035” – LEONARDO BUSSOLETTI

Slightly vinous but especially fruity with notes of red cherry and licorice. Lively, net and very clean

  • CILIEGIOLO IGT 2016 “BRECCIARO” – LEONARDO BUSSOLETTI

Deep nose with flavours of dark fruits, light boisè that recalls sandalwoods, eucalyptus. Full, smooth, with a good body and a certain acidity

  • CILIEGIOLO NARNI IGT 2017 – VALLANTICA

Vinous and fruity with notes of ribes, a vegetal touch of geranium, rosemary. Still unbalanced but with a good potential

  • AMELIA CILIEGIOLO DOC 2016 “CARMINO” – ZANCHI

The red cherry jam makes the nose “sweet”. Round on the palate, great balance between the fruit concentration and the acidity. Intense and easy-drinking

CILIEGIOLO D’ITALIA 2018: TOSCANA region

(where, basing on the wines for tasting, the style is more often affected by the oak):

 

  • CILIEGIOLO TOSCANA DOC 2016 “VIGNA VALLERANA ALTA” – ANTONIO CAMILLO

Mature red fruits, smoke and coffee, a nice rhythm that we find again on the palate where is smooth but supported by a certain tannic frame

  • CILIEGIOLO TOSCANA IGT 2017 – CASA ALLE VACCHE

It is not very complex but surely immediate with a clear note of strawberry yogurt and hints of medicinal herbs; juicy and straight

  • ROSSO TOSCANA IGT 2015 “DONNA FLAVIA” – CAPPELLA DI SANT’ANDREA

Black berry, dried violet, a light spicy character. On the palate offers a good concentration and a soft tannin

  • CILIEGIOLO MAREMMA TOSCANA DOC 2013 “SAN LORENZO”- SASSOTONDO

Perfect example of mature Ciliegiolo. Fine on the nose with a good complexity supported by notes of cedar tree, cloves, black cherry; very good also the quality on the palate, medium body, long finish

  • CILIEGIOLO IGT 2016 “BRIGLIA”- TERRE DELL’ETRURIA

Penetrating nose with raspberry, jamminess and lavender. Fruity but agile on the palate

 

CILIEGIOLO D’ITALIA 2018: OTHER ITALIAN REGIONS

 

  • CILIEGIOLO IGT ROSATO 2017 “VAL DI MAGRA” – AZIENDA AGRICOLA CONTE PICEDI BENETTINI (Liguria)

Elegant and bright color (salmon). The nose is very fine with flavours of fennel, wild strawberries and white pepper. Full on the palate, with a good acidity and a great savouriness which support a long finish. Outstanding

  • CILIEGIOLO MARCHE IGT 2015 “CERESI” – GAGLIARDI

Vinous with hints of pot-pourrì and blackberry. On the palate is articulated and intriguing, easy-drinking and versatile

  • CILIEGIOLO IGT 2017- MARA OLIVIERI (Lazio)

It deserves to be mentioned for its welcoming nose which recalls notes of cedar tree, wild berries and mint. Medium body, fine-grained tannins with a toasted aftertaste

narni – view

 

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