Wines from Lazio and Rome
First settled by heroic Etruscans and Sabines who flourished until the rise of Rome, ancient Lazi, or Latium, is best known as the stomping grounds of the Caesars. For the following 3,000 years its wines have been tailored to the city's tastes light, fresh whites for the summers and easy-to-drink reds for those infamously long lunches and dinners.
Lazio is comprised of diverse growing regions. Just outside Rome, the fertile volcanic foothills of the Castelli Romani where emperors and popes escaped from summer's heat is famous for Frascati white wines. East of Rome are the the esoteric hills of Piglio known for native red Cesanese and white Passarina. The reclaimed lowlands south of Rome produce superlative Syrah. The northern coastal Lazio, closer to Tuscany than Rome, is part of the ancient Etruscan viticultural area of Tuscia and Cerveteri where native white Trebbiano and Malvasia and red Sangiovese and Montepulciano grapes are grown.
Wines of Terenzi
November 2009 - Giovanni Terenzi awarded the Region of Lazio "Master of Agriculture" - awarded to the top agricultural person of the year in the region.
Grape: 90% Cesanese d'Affile, 10% Sangiovese
Vineyards: Heavy thinning, harvest by hand
Vinification: Temperature-controlled slow fermentation with selected yeasts for 20 days, all stainless steel
Aging: All stainless steel
Annual Production: 833 cases bottles
Alcohol: 13.5%
Service: 64-68° F
Cesanese del Piglio DOCG "Velobra"
Cesanese (chae-sah-NAE-sae del PEE-l'yoh), reputed to be a favorite of the Roman Caesars, is the only red grape indigenous to Lazio. This rare wine is making a comeback, even achieving DOCG status in 2008. From the hills of Piglio east of Rome, the best wines are bold and spicy with ample tannic structure.
"Velobra" is the expression of the perfect Cesanese, a traditional blend with a little Sangiovese Grosso. Aged in all stainless steel tanks. Ruby red color with dramatic shades of violet and intense aromas of prunes and mature cherries with a pleasing undertone of spice. A wine of great body, intense and persistant, serve with red meat, roasts and aged cheeses.
Gambero Rosso 2011 2 Glasses ('08) Award for best value for price under $20)
Gambero Rosso 2010 1 Glass ('07)
Gambero Rosso 2009 2+ Glasses "tre bicchiere" finalist ('06)
Gambero Rosso 2007 2 Glasses plus Oscar "Price-Quality" ('05)
Grape: 100% Cesanese d'Affile
Vineyards: South-facing at 1,475 ft above sea level in Piglio, heavy thinning, wide spaced vines
Vinification: Harvested by hand; light maceration for 25 days
on the skins at controlled temperatures below 30°, all stainless steel
Aging: 2 years; 6 months in used barrique from the Vajoscuro, then 12 mos in stainless steel,
finished in bottle for 6-8 mos
Annual Production: 417 cases
Alcohol: 14%
Service: 64-68° F
Cesanese del Piglio DOCG Superiore "Colle Forma"
"Colle Forma" is Giovanni Terenzi's purest creation — Cesanese in the traditional style with a hint of old wood from his selected Cru, the Vajoscuro.
Orange-red in the glass with ruby red reflections, there's a scent of red berry and herbs on the nose, brandy-soaked cherries, and plum skins. Ideal with light sauces, red meat, roasted meat, truffles and strong cheeses.
Gambero Rosso 2011 1 Glass ('08)
Gambero Rosso 2009 2 Glasses ('06)
Gambero Rosso 2008 2 Glasses ('05)
Luca Maroni 2008 85 points ('06)
Luca Maroni 2007 83 points ('05)
VinItaly Verona 2007 "Diploma di Gran Menzione" ('04)
Grape: 100% Cesanese d'Affile
Vineyards: South-facing at 1,475 ft above sea level in Piglio, heavy thinning
Vinification: Harvested by hand; light maceration for 25 days on the skins at
controlled temperatures below 30°, then pressed, separated, and fermented slowly for 20 days, all stainless steel
aging: 18 months, 10 mos in oak barrique, finished in bottle for 8-10 mos
Annual Production: 208 cases
Alcohol: 14%
Service: 64-68° F
Cesanese del Piglio DOCG Superiore Riserva "Vajoscuro"
Only the finest grapes from Terenzi's exceptional vineyards are used for the limited "Vajoscuro". The depth and intensity of which the Cesanese grape is capable is on full display in this Cru. Aging in new and used barrique enrich the depth and complexity of this stunning wine.
Dense ruby red color with violet reflections, limpid intense and persistant with clear aromas of violet, dark fruits, mature prunes, and cherry wine with interesting highlights of spice. Serve with red meats, roasts, wild game and aged cheeses.
Gambero Rosso 2010 2 Glasses ('06)
Gambero Rosso 2009 2 Glasses ('05)
VinItaly Verona 2007 "Diploma di Gran Menzione" ('04)
Luca Maroni 2007 84 points ('04)
Sangiovese del Frusinate IGT "Quercia Rossa"
A new masterpiece from Giovanni Terenzi, this is the first bottling of wine from his rare vineyard of 100% Sangiovese Grosso Brunello clone. The wine is macerated and fermented and aged all in wood, by opening the barrels by hand and re-closing the tops.
Gambero Rosso 2011 2 Glasses ('08)
VinItaly Verona 2011 "Diploma di Gran Menzione" ('08)
VinItaly Verona 2010 "Diploma di Gran Menzione" ('08)
Passarina del Frusinate IGT "Villa Santa"
An excellent light spring wine for those long lunches by the sea, Passarina is a native white wine of Rome for which Terenzi is famous. Aged 6 months in stainless steel tanks with tartaric stabilization followed by 3 months finishing in the bottle.
Gambero Rosso 2011 1 Glass ('09)
Grape: 100% Cesanese d'Affile
Vineyards: South-facing at 1,475 ft above sea level in Piglio, heavy thinning
Vinification: Harvested by hand, cold fermentation for 25 days, all stainless steel
aging: Immediately bottled to lock in freshness
Annual Production: 208 cases
Alcohol: 14%
Service: Lightly chilled
Frusinate IGT "Rosato Villa Santa"
This is a dry rosé with the structure of a red, made from pure Cesanese red wine grapes.
Terenzi, like other Cesanese producers in Lazio's Piglio hills, makes an approachable summer wine from the blockbuster red of their region. Unlike bashful, retiring rosé wines, Frusinate starts with strong color in the bottle followed by intense aromas of cherry and spice. Subtle tannic structure and strong acidity propel a long finish. Serve with "porchetta" (wild spiced and roasted pork), white meats and roasted boar.
Gambero Rosso 2009 1 Glass ('05)