Giovanni Mesina Chiaretto 2018

Giovanni Battista Mesina's Chiaretto is a short-maceration rosato made from 90% Vernaccia Rossa and 10% Ciliegiolo, grown on less than three hectares of organic hillside land in the hamlet of Pianello, north of Perugia. The farm is a working sheep operation, with the vineyard rows sharing space with ancient olive trees. Production for this 2018 vintage was approximately 1,000 bottles.

Chiaretto is a term with Sardinian roots, used for lighter, fresher red and rosato wines in the same way Cerasuolo is used in Abruzzo. The wine is fermented and aged in a combination of stainless steel, cement, and demijohn. It is bottled unfiltered, unfined, and with no added sulfites.

Vernaccia Rossa is a native red grape of central Umbria, distinct from the white Vernaccia di San Gimignano. It produces wines with lively acidity, a pronounced spice character, and fruit in the cherry and raspberry range. Ciliegiolo, whose name translates to cherry tree, adds aromatic lift and bright red fruit. The result is a dry, fresh, and slightly spicy rosato best served well chilled.

Giovanni began making wine with guidance from Umbrian natural winemaker Danilo Marcucci, one of the region's most influential figures in the natural wine movement. The 2017 vintage was Giovanni's first bottled release; the 2018 Chiaretto is his second.