'Cherry Pick' Frigo Montepulciano 2024
After an initial foray making a chilled red wine I went into the 2024 vintage with a clearer purpose and plan. Rather than working with Sangiovese I chose Montepulciano this time, inspired by classic examples of light reds suited to chilling from the Abruzzo region. I was hoping for something a bit juicier and softer but also fresher, and I think I’ve achieved that.
Fruit was machine-harvested and de-stemmed into a stainless-steel tank. The tank was cooled to delay fermentation, resulting in five days cold soaking of the berries with the juice. After pressing the grapes, the light but purple coloured wine fermented in stainless steel, and once complete was transferred to neutral French oak puncheons for malolactic fermentation. The wine was blended and bottled without fining or filtering in September.
There is as much montepulciano planted in the Abruzzo region than every other Italian region combined, which is significant considering montepulciano is the second most planted indigenous variety in the country. The two most common expressions of the variety are Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, and Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo. The former is a classic bold flavoured and coloured red wine, whereas the latter sits on a spectrum between rosé and light red. Cerasuolo means “cherry red” and thus I decided to name this wine ‘Cherry Pick.’
After an initial foray making a chilled red wine I went into the 2024 vintage with a clearer purpose and plan. Rather than working with Sangiovese I chose Montepulciano this time, inspired by classic examples of light reds suited to chilling from the Abruzzo region. I was hoping for something a bit juicier and softer but also fresher, and I think I’ve achieved that.
Fruit was machine-harvested and de-stemmed into a stainless-steel tank. The tank was cooled to delay fermentation, resulting in five days cold soaking of the berries with the juice. After pressing the grapes, the light but purple coloured wine fermented in stainless steel, and once complete was transferred to neutral French oak puncheons for malolactic fermentation. The wine was blended and bottled without fining or filtering in September.
There is as much montepulciano planted in the Abruzzo region than every other Italian region combined, which is significant considering montepulciano is the second most planted indigenous variety in the country. The two most common expressions of the variety are Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, and Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo. The former is a classic bold flavoured and coloured red wine, whereas the latter sits on a spectrum between rosé and light red. Cerasuolo means “cherry red” and thus I decided to name this wine ‘Cherry Pick.’
After an initial foray making a chilled red wine I went into the 2024 vintage with a clearer purpose and plan. Rather than working with Sangiovese I chose Montepulciano this time, inspired by classic examples of light reds suited to chilling from the Abruzzo region. I was hoping for something a bit juicier and softer but also fresher, and I think I’ve achieved that.
Fruit was machine-harvested and de-stemmed into a stainless-steel tank. The tank was cooled to delay fermentation, resulting in five days cold soaking of the berries with the juice. After pressing the grapes, the light but purple coloured wine fermented in stainless steel, and once complete was transferred to neutral French oak puncheons for malolactic fermentation. The wine was blended and bottled without fining or filtering in September.
There is as much montepulciano planted in the Abruzzo region than every other Italian region combined, which is significant considering montepulciano is the second most planted indigenous variety in the country. The two most common expressions of the variety are Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, and Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo. The former is a classic bold flavoured and coloured red wine, whereas the latter sits on a spectrum between rosé and light red. Cerasuolo means “cherry red” and thus I decided to name this wine ‘Cherry Pick.’
Jeni Port - Wine Companion
”A novello sangiovese that explodes in bright summertime cherries. Like crunching into fruit straight off the tree. Even the vivid cherry colour is in keeping with the theme. Brings cherry, raspberry, acacia florals and a splash of herbals to the glass and finishes all too easily.” 89 points
Huon Hooke - The Real Review
”Light russet colour, developed and pale, with an unfiltered appearance. Leaf litter, almost tobacco-like aromas, more in the rosé category than red wine, but quite beguiling. Complex, savoury, much more than simplistic primary fruit. Good intensity and depth of flavour, viscosity in the mouth and soft, light tannins. Very fine balance and great drinkability. Carpaccio, perhaps.” 89 points