The Colle Trotta Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Q500 is 100% Montepulciano that only sees 20 minutes of skin contact before fermentation. The appellation, created in 2010, emulates what the red wines from this mountain region were like decades ago, before climate change altered the light reds into something darker. The color is a light cherry-red, with bright, taut flavors of pomegranate tinged with an herbaceous hint of mint. Try with a slight chill, some hard cheeses and cured meats.

Estate History: In 2006, Maurizio di Nicola aided by his great nephew began the work of recuperating a century-old farm in the village of Penne, situated in the shadow of the 2900-meter Gran Sasso mountains in Abruzzo. The crops include farro fields, fruit and olive trees, and 3.5 hectares of vineyards. Maurizio calls the wines Q500 (Quota 500) because all the vineyards sit at 500 meters or higher. (And incidentally, they look down on Valentini’s). Farming is certified organic, fermentations are indigenous, and the wines are unfiltered. The enologist consultant is Professor Leonardo Seghetti, from the University of Teramo.