Viniou Reviews
Poggio Le Volpi’s Cuvée Baccarossa 2021 is an expressive red wine from the Lazio DOC, a region that is gradually earning recognition for its rich and characterful wines. This cuvée, crafted by the acclaimed Poggio Le Volpi estate, showcases the Baccarossa grape, an ancient native variety that has been rediscovered and revived in recent years. The 2021 vintage offers a remarkable snapshot of the variety’s potential, resulting in a wine with deep ruby hues and an aromatic profile marked by ripe black fruits, subtle florals, and a touch of peppery spice. The vinification process favours ripe fruit expression with careful extraction, balancing richness and freshness, and a short period of ageing, likely in stainless steel or large casks, to preserve varietal purity and vibrant acidity.
Latium, or Lazio, is a region in central Italy known historically for producing large quantities of approachable white wines, but red wines are increasingly coming to the fore, especially in the volcanic hills surrounding Rome. The soils here are a blend of tufo, lava, and clay, lending minerality and backbone to the wines. The Mediterranean climate brings warm days, cool nights, and a gentle influence from the nearby Tyrrhenian Sea, encouraging slow, even maturity of the grapes. Centuries of winemaking tradition in Lazio are now giving way to innovation, with producers like Poggio Le Volpi at the vanguard.
The boldness and aromatic complexity of Cuvée Baccarossa make it an excellent match for hearty regional dishes. Consider pairing it with Roman classics such as saltimbocca alla romana or a slow-cooked coda alla vaccinara. It will also complement grilled red meats, lamb, rich pasta dishes with ragù, or aged pecorino cheese, the local speciality.
For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine at 16-18°C, decanting it for about 30 minutes before tasting to allow the aromatics to open up. Its structure makes it suitable for mid-term cellaring, though its vibrant fruit and freshness are lovely for drinking now.
