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Although Lazio in central Italy is home to one DOCG, the red Cesanese del Piglio, its star red wine is Velletri – it was granted DOC status in 1972.
The winemaking zone is located in the provinces of Velletri, Lariano and Cisterna in the southernmost part of the Castelli Romani district, south-east of Rome. Some producers still practice a particularly ancient tradition of vine training, using a medium-sized tree to support the shoots. It was used in Roman times and, according to Pliny The Elder, was introduced earlier by the Etruscans.
Velletri is produced as a robust rosso from Sangiovese, Cesanese, Montepulciano, Merlot and a little Ciliegiolo, and is also made as a riserva. These red varieties all bring different characteristics to the wine: Cesanese gives the wine its earthy character, while Montepulciano adds a luscious fruitiness and Sangiovese lends structure. Merlot is used to bring the blend together and for its rounded nature, and native Ciliegiolo lifts the wine with its fragrance. During exceptional vintages the wine has the capacity to age for a long time.
Despite boasting this excellent red wine, the main wines crafted here are biancos comprising almost exclusively Malvasia di Candia and Malvasia Puntinata (of the same family), Trebbiano Toscano, Trebbiano Giallo and Trebbiano Verde (also of the same family), and small portions of Bellone and Bonvino (Cesanese). The wines are characterized by their golden color and herbaceous, mineral and citrus notes.
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