Cesanese Comune (more commonly known as just Cesanese) is a red Italian wine grape variety that is grown primarily in the Lazio region.[1] The grape has three Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) regions dedicated to it-Cesanese di Affile DOC, Cesanese di Olevano DOC and Cesanese di Piglio DOC.[2] Cesanese di Affile appears to be a distinct sub-variety of Cesanese Comune unique to the commune of Affile. (much like Brunello is a unique clone of Sangiovese unique to commune of Montalcino) There are noticeable differences between Cesanese Comune and the grapes found in Cesanese di Affile, including the size of the grape berry itself. The sub-variety Cesanese d'Affile is considered to be of superior quality of Cesanese Comune and is used as minor ingredient in the Tuscan cult wine Trinoro.[3] The grape has very old origins, and may have been used in Roman winemaking. Today it is rarely seen outside of the Lazio.[4]
- ^ Robinson, J. (1986). Vines, Grapes & Wines. Mitchell Beazley. p. 212. ISBN 978-1-85732-999-5.
- ^ M. Ewing-Mulligan & E. McCarthy Italian Wines for Dummies pg 200 Hungry Minds 2001 ISBN 0-7645-5355-0
- ^ J. Robinson (ed) "The Oxford Companion to Wine" Third Edition pg 148 Oxford University Press 2006 ISBN 0-19-860990-6
- ^ Oz Clarke Encyclopedia of Grapes pg 59 Harcourt Books 2001 ISBN 0-15-100714-4