Ciliegiolo

Ciliegiolo is a red grape variety of central and northwestern Italy, something of an obscurity in past decades but now undergoing a renaissance in Liguria and its spiritual home, Tuscany. It is now used increasingly in the red wines of several western Italian DOCs including Chianti, Colli di Luni, and the lesser-known Montecarlo, Colline di Levanto, Golfo di Tigullio and Val Polcevera. The number of varietal IGT wines made from Ciliegiolo has increased considerably since 2000.

Synonyms include: Brunellone, Criminese, Riminese, Sangiovese Polveroso Bonechi.

Food matches for Ciliegiolo include:

• Chicken salad with pomegranate, pine nuts and raisins
• Pupusa (fried tortilla stuffed with ground pork and beans)
• Peking duck with pancakes