Torre dei Beati’s next door neighbor is arguably the most famous wine grower in Abruzzo (arguably Italy’s most famous region for gastronomic delights) — Eduardo Valentini. If you can even find a bottle of Valentini, you’ll walk away from the experience your wallet a bit lighter.

Fortunately, Torre dei Beati offers a range of classic Abruzzese wines from similar terroir for far less. Today’s focus is on their gorgeous Cerasuolo, a vibrantly hued rosado of Montepulciano made with a trio of techniques: saignée, blanc de noir, and maceration, all blended into one dynamic wine.

It’s hard to imagine a farmer wanting his land to be less fertile, but that’s reality for Fausto Albanesi. Montepulciano is so vigorous that it can (and often is) boring or flabby. But take a single sip of Fausto’s charming Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo and you’ll quickly realize there’s nothing boring here; electric pink in the glass, it’s minerally and bright, with mouthwatering freshness and flavors of raspberry, red cherries and sweet herbs. Part rosé, part light red, it’s entirely delightful.

The estate is certified organic, not so common in this part of Italy, and a combination of elevation and clay-limestone soils ensure delicacy and elegance. The goal is to produce classic, gastronomic wines with a real sense of place. We’ve offered the Pecorino in this newsletter before, and it was and is a runaway favorite. Careful farming, limited yields, and working minimally in the cellar…these are the keys to Fausto’s success.

We’re all about year-round rosés — we’ve been known to advocate for a bottle of pink wine on every Thanksgiving table. A wine like this, walking a tightrope between dark rosé and light red, offers the perfect combination of energy, minerality, fruit, and substance. Whether you save a bottle or two for holiday feasts, or you just want something new and interesting for your next takeout dinner (pair with sushi or sashimi for a particularly excellent experience), Torre dei Beati’s Cerasuolo is a terrific option. We love it, and we know you will, too:

Torre dei Beati, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo "Rosa-ae", 2023 $24.99
“The 2023 Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Rosa-ae is bright, ripe, citrusy and energetic. It rushes forth with notes of blood orange, grapefruit and a distinct current of saline minerality. The acidity is almost electric here, generating a real sense of forward motion that is quite enjoyable. Deep, complex, nuanced hints of lavender and rose linger on the driven, persistent finish.” Billy Norris, Vinous