The Wine Reference🍷 SupportCesanese grape
Cesanese is a red grape known for red cherry, plum, spice. Its best-known homes are Lazio.
Origin and history
An ancient grape of Lazio, central Italy, grown in the hills south-east of Rome; there are two types, Cesanese d'Affile and the more common Cesanese Comune.
Where it grows
Lazio, chiefly Piglio, Affile and Olevano Romano in the Ciociaria hills south-east of Rome.
Structure
Medium body, medium tannins and fresh acidity, from juicy and spicy to structured and ageable.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: red cherry, raspberry, plum, pepper and violet. With age: dried cherry, leather, earth and sweet spice.
Ageing
Most drink within 2–5 years; top Cesanese del Piglio can age 8–10 years.
Also known as
Cesanese di Affile, Cesanese Comune.
Good to know
Cesanese del Piglio was promoted to DOCG in 2008, the first red DOCG in Lazio.
Wine regions for Cesanese
Similar red grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
The Wine Reference newsletter
New wines, stories and career guides, one email a week at most.
Over 18s only. Unsubscribe any time with one click. Your email is stored securely by Kit and never shared.
Support The Wine Reference
This guide is free, with no paywall. If it helped you choose a bottle, you can buy me a glass and keep it growing.
🍷 Buy me a glass