Story: Lazio | Red Wine
Page: 4/5

Red wines from Lazio - diversity between volcanoes and coastline
Lazio, the region surrounding Rome, is primarily known for its historical significance and Mediterranean landscape, but it also has its own distinctive characteristics when it comes to winegrowing. The region is characterized by a mixture of volcanic soils in the Castelli Romani, calcareous slopes in the north, and sandy coastal regions. This diversity provides the ideal breeding ground for high-quality red wines that reflect the typical character of the region: strong, balanced, and marked by Mediterranean elegance.

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Lazio Rosso - Tradition meets freshness
Although Lazio is primarily famous for its white wines, it also produces rare but remarkable red wines made from local grapes such as Malvasia Nera and Cesanese. These wines display a balanced fruitiness, accompanied by light spicy notes and a pleasant, fresh acidity. They are often easy to drink, ideal for immediate enjoyment, and reflect the character of the rolling hills around Frascati.

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Cesanese - The grape variety full of character
Cesanese is arguably the most important indigenous red grape variety in Lazio, particularly in the Cesanese del Piglio and Cesanese di Olevano Romano DOCG areas. Cesanese wines are characterized by their medium to full-bodied structure, ruby red color, and aromas of red fruits, cherries, and plums. These are complemented by delicate floral notes, a hint of spice, and a distinctive acidity that gives the wines freshness and aging potential. This grape is the pride of the region and produces both fruit-forward everyday wines and complex single-vineyard wines with aging potential.

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Sangiovese in Lazio - elegance and subtlety
Alongside Cesanese, Sangiovese, Italy's best-known red grape, also plays an important role in Lazio. In the hills north of Rome and in the areas around Velletri and Marino, Sangiovese produces elegant, medium-bodied wines. They combine red fruit aromas with delicate herbal and spicy notes and have a pleasant acidity. Sangiovese gives the red wines of Lazio a subtle elegance that comes into its own in cuvées with Cesanese.

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Other regional varieties and blends
In some regions of Lazio, red wines made from international grape varieties such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon are also found, which are mainly used for blends. Together with local grapes, this results in harmonious wines that combine power, fruitiness, and structure. The blends are often produced in smaller wineries that place particular emphasis on traditional craftsmanship.

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Highlight of the region - Cesanese del Piglio DOCG
The absolute highlight of Lazio's red wine landscape is Cesanese del Piglio DOCG. This wine represents the best the region has to offer: intense fruit, balanced acidity, subtle spice, and a velvety tannin structure. With aging potential, it develops additional aromas of leather, tobacco, and balsamic nuances over the years. Cesanese del Piglio is considered an ambassador for the Latium wine tradition and embodies the characterful and elegant side of red wine production around Rome.

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Conclusion
The red wines of Lazio impress with their diversity and character. Cesanese, supported by Sangiovese and occasional international grape varieties, showcases the full range of the volcanic, Mediterranean terroir. From fruity, easily accessible wines to complex DOCG representatives such as Cesanese del Piglio, the region offers red wines for different moments of enjoyment. Those who want to experience southern Italy will discover a treasure trove of characterful, elegant red wines with a strong regional identity in Lazio. - Gerardo [TS12/25]