The Historic Wines of Rome and Lazio: A Journey Through Sun and Terroir
Lazio, with its capital Rome, boasts a winemaking tradition stretching back millennia to ancient Roman times. Today, this region is a vibrant hub for high-quality wines, with several denominations achieving widespread recognition for their excellence.
Key Wines of Lazio: Frascati, Roma, and Cesanese del Piglio
Frascati DOCG and DOC: Lazio’s Iconic White Wine Frascati is arguably the most renowned wine from Lazio. Cultivated on the volcanic hills surrounding the town of Frascati, this fresh and fruity white wine is an ideal aperitif wine and pairs beautifully with fish and vegetable dishes.
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Frascati DOC: This is an approachable, light, and enjoyable wine. Production regulations mandate a minimum of 70% Malvasia Bianca di Candia and/or Malvasia del Lazio grapes, with options to include Trebbiano Toscano, Greco, and Bellone.
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Frascati Superiore DOCG: Representing the pinnacle of Frascati quality, the DOCG designation requires stricter adherence to production rules, including lower yields per hectare and a minimum aging period. The result is a more structured, complex, and long-lasting wine with pronounced mineral and floral notes.
Roma DOC: The Versatile Wine of the Capital Established in 2011, the Roma DOC is a more recent and expansive denomination covering a wider area around Rome. This versatile designation produces white, red, and rosé wines.
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Roma DOC Bianco: Made primarily from Malvasia Bianca di Candia, Bellone, and Bombino, this is a fresh and savory wine, perfectly suited for traditional Roman cuisine.
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Roma DOC Rosso: Based on Montepulciano, Sangiovese, and Cesanese grapes, it’s a structured red wine with notes of red fruit and spices, making it an excellent match for meat dishes.
Cesanese del Piglio DOCG: Lazio’s Premier Red Wine Cesanese del Piglio stands out as one of Lazio’s few red DOCG wines. Crafted from Cesanese d’Affile grapes, it is an intense and robust wine revealing hints of ripe fruit, spices, and licorice. It perfectly complements red meats, game, and aged cheeses.
The Crucial Role of Terroir in Lazio Wines
The remarkable diversity of Lazio’s wines is intrinsically linked to its varied soils.
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Volcanic Soils: Wines from Frascati, the Castelli Romani, and Cesanese del Piglio thrive in volcanic soils, which are rich in potassium and phosphorus. These soils, formed by the ancient Latium Vetus volcanoes, impart a characteristic minerality and crisp acidity to the wines, contributing to their freshness and longevity. Well-drained and porous, volcanic soils allow vine roots to delve deep, absorbing essential nutrients for high-quality grape production.
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Clay and Calcareous Soils: In Lazio’s flatter and coastal areas, soils are predominantly clay and calcareous. These more compact, clay-rich soils yield more structured and full-bodied wines with warmer, softer notes. Wines produced on these soils typically exhibit higher tannins and good structure, making them suitable for aging.
In conclusion, the wines of Lazio offer a broad spectrum of sensory experiences, faithfully reflecting the richness of their territory and the dedication of their producers. From the crispness of Frascati DOCG to the robustness of Cesanese del Piglio DOCG, there’s a Lazio wine to suit every occasion and palate.
What Lazio wine are you most excited to try first?
