'Cherry Pick' Frigo Montepulciano 2026

A$33.99

Chilled red wine is (ironically) the hottest wine style going these days, and the Cherry Pick Frigo Montepulciano has unexpectedly become my most popular wine. It was introduced in the 2024 vintage and was inspired by classic Rosato style wines from Italy (very light early drinking reds), as many Italian red varieties are ideal for juiciness, generosity and fruitiness whilst retaining fantastic acidity.

Fruit was machine-harvested and de-stemmed, then split between a stainless-steel tank and open fermenters. The tank portion was cooled to delay fermentation, resulting in seven days cold soaking of the berries with the juice. The open fermenter portion was fermented on skins and pressed at the same time. The cold soak portion fermented in stainless steel, and eventually all wine spent time in a variety of oak barrels to complete alcoholic and malolatic fermentation. The wine was blended and bottled in August.

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.’

Chilled red wine is (ironically) the hottest wine style going these days, and the Cherry Pick Frigo Montepulciano has unexpectedly become my most popular wine. It was introduced in the 2024 vintage and was inspired by classic Rosato style wines from Italy (very light early drinking reds), as many Italian red varieties are ideal for juiciness, generosity and fruitiness whilst retaining fantastic acidity.

Fruit was machine-harvested and de-stemmed, then split between a stainless-steel tank and open fermenters. The tank portion was cooled to delay fermentation, resulting in seven days cold soaking of the berries with the juice. The open fermenter portion was fermented on skins and pressed at the same time. The cold soak portion fermented in stainless steel, and eventually all wine spent time in a variety of oak barrels to complete alcoholic and malolatic fermentation. The wine was blended and bottled in August.

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.’

Melissa Moore - The Real Review
”Very much in the light red wine spectrum, this is a pale ruby in colour, with inviting aromas of red cherries and berries, orange peel and raspberry aniseed lollies. It's juicy and ripe with sweet fruit, crunchy acidity and a light dusting of tannins making for an easily chillable red (frigo = fridge). Great summer drinking.” 93 points

Jeni Port - Wine Companion
”One of the new-style chilled reds – 'frigo' – that the maker stipulates must be consumed cold. The Italian grape's red fruits and above average tannin and acidity levels make it a strong contender for the style. Brilliant cherry red hues. Cherry and red berries, anise and oregano earthy scents meld and slow their lively dance on the palate, taking on body, texture and delivering a spice and herbal-fuelled, red-cherried flavour that entices. Just a light chilling – not too much – brings a refreshing, juicy, easy-drinking summer style.” 92 points

2025 Young Gun of Wine Chilled Red Deep Dive Top Wine
”(Gus) Gluck featured this wine in his top six wines of the blind tasting, describing “raspberry jelly, orange oil and roses on the nose – a kid’s birthday party in a glass. The full-flavoured palate has a real start, middle, and end – a more serious wine than most in the lineup, and therefore one with a few more edges to it. Those edges don’t make it any less likeable, though! Ultimately, this is a wine that speaks of its terroir – it tastes of quality fruit grown in sandy soils.”