Pio Cesare Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese

Pio Cesare Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese is a wonderfully distinctive, traditional, and aromatic Italian red wine that brilliantly champions one of Piedmont's most fascinating indigenous grape varieties. Sourced from choice vineyard plots in its historic zone of election within the Monferrato hills, this wine undergoes careful temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel to emphasize its bright fruit and highly eccentric personality. It pours a pale, translucent ruby-red color that develops soft garnet reflections over time. The nose is incredibly fragrant and pungently expressive, opening with a burst of fresh strawberries, wild raspberries, and red cherries, layered with enchanting aromas of fresh rose petals, geranium, and a heavy dusting of cracked white pepper. On the palate, this light-to-medium-bodied selection plays a delightful game of contrasts; while its color and body suggest delicacy, it surprises the palate with a clean, snappy red-berry acidity and a remarkably firm, grippy, and rustic tannic structure. It finishes bone-dry, clean, and pleasantly savory, with a lingering hint of bitter almond skin and kitchen herbs.

Food Pairing: This highly refreshing and high-tannin light red cuts beautifully through fat, pairing excellently with sliced salumi, prosciutto, pork chops, roasted poultry, cold veal dishes, or fresh pasta tossed in light butter-and-sage sauces.