Belguardo Ciliegiolo 2024

Belguardo is the Maremma estate of the Mazzei family, whose Tuscan winemaking history reaches back to the fourteenth century, and this wine is made from Ciliegiolo, a native variety whose name comes from ciliegia, the Italian for cherry. The vineyards sit in the warm, coastal Maremma Toscana, where sea breezes and the maritime climate temper the heat, ripening the fruit gently and keeping the alcohol low at 11.5% while preserving freshness. Ciliegiolo is naturally early-ripening and aromatic, with soft tannins and vivid red-fruit character. The wine is made without oak ageing, kept in inert vessels so the bright cherry fruit and floral lift stay primary and unmasked, which is the whole point of the style. The colour is a vivid ruby, the nose leads with marasca and sour cherry, red berries and a hint of Mediterranean herbs, and the palate is light and juicy, the supple tannins framed by fresh acidity and a clean, savoury finish. Serve at 14 to 16C, lightly chilled if you like. It suits charcuterie, tomato pasta and grilled vegetables.