Bisson Ciliegiolo Portofino Rosato 2024

Enoteca Bisson was born in 1978 when Pierluigi Lugano fell in love with the wines of the Ligurian coastline. He began as a trader in small lots of bulk wine, later became a wine merchant, and finally a grower in his own right. He now splits his time between his busy wine shop in Chiavari, the wine cellar, and his vineyards.

Importer Note:

Ciliegiolo is a traditional red grape variety that is rarely seen. Piero Lugano vinifies it to showcase its light and fruity character. When presenting it, we group this wine with our classic series of Rosés as it is released in the spring following the prior year’s harvest. Lugano proudly maintains this variety in both the Trigoso and Campegli vineyards situated in the hills above Sestri Levante and Chiavari, respectively. It is vinified dry, tastes of red cherry and wild berries and its brilliant cherry color is a particular joy to behold. Approximately 400 cases are imported for the US market annually.

Planted on steeply sloped parcels in the town of Campegli, Bisson’s Ciliegiolo is hand-harvested, and undergoes a brief three-day maceration in stainless steel during its fermentation, thereby lending it a beautiful deep-ruby hue and the barest hint of fresh tannins. It combines fruit redolent of tangy cherries and small red berries with a luscious but dynamic palate of marked limestone minerality.