Wine: Zaccagnini Il Tralcetto Rose

Country: Italy

Region: Abruzzo

Designation: Terre di Chieti IGT 

Brand/Producer:  Cantina Zaccagnini

Grape Varietal: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

ABV: 12.5%

Type: Rose

Code: 1924

Tasting Note

Delicate floral aromas of roses and white blossoms lead on to a palate of juicy wild strawberries with some subtle tartness layered with raspberries and a hint of citrus in the finish.

Producer

In the heart of Bolognano, a small town in the Abruzzo region, Cantina Zaccagnini was established in 1978. Starting from a family-run business, the winery has grown rapidly and steadily with the goal of “absolute quality, from cluster to glass”. The company now has more than 300 hectares of beautiful vineyards, well-kept and monitored at every production stage. 

Marcello Zaccagnini, the dynamic director of the operations, has introduced sustainable ecologically-sensitive practices such as using minimal irrigation, reducing use of SO2 in winemaking and planting forests of oak to offset COs emissions produced by wine fermentation. 

“Tralcetto” refers to the piece of wood tied around the bottle, which is actually a cutting from the grapevine of the vineyard in Bolognano, Pescara. “Tralcetto dell’Amicizia”, literally means “the wooden stick of friendship”. Each tralcetto is hand tied on the bottle with locally sourced straw.

Winemaking

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo grapes are chosen from one of Cantina Zaccagnini’s selected vineyards in the Terre di Chieti area nestled in the foothills of the Abruzzo region. The grapes are harvested early and by hand to preserve freshness and avoid bruising the skins which would add some tannic elements. The bunches are destemmed, gently pressed and undergo a short cryomaceration in chilled stainless steel tanks. Very little skin contact take place resulting in the baby salmon pink colour of the wine. The wine is made from free run juice, again to ensure the colour is pale and to keep the varietal flavours as delicate as possible. 

Fun Fact

The Tralcetto wines are a firm favourite in Harry’s Bar in Venice, one of the most prestigious venues in the city for wining, dining and celebrity spotting.

Food pairing

A versatile wine, Ideal as an aperitif and pairs well with light dishes such as seafood and white meats. It also works well with a charcuterie platter with some spicy elements and particularly with creamy soft cheeses. 

Awards & Accolades

Double Gold Beverage Tasting Institute vintage 2020

92 points Beverage Tasting Institute vintage 2019