Italy’s rosé wines have undergone a remarkable transformation over the last decade. Once regarded mainly as seasonal wines, they are now increasingly recognised as distinctive expressions of place, grape variety and winemaking philosophy.
This broader evolution provides the context for Francesco Saverio Russo’s Selection of Italy’s Best Rosé Wines – Summer 2026, published on Wine Blog Roll, where he reflects on how Italian rosé has become one of the country’s most dynamic wine categories.
Read the original article:
https://wineblogroll.com/2025/08/selezione-estiva-migliori-vini-rosati-italiani/
Russo notes that today’s finest rosés are no longer by-products of red winemaking. Instead, they are conceived from the vineyard onwards, with dedicated viticultural and cellar decisions aimed at expressing precision, balance and, above all, a strong sense of place.
Among the regions contributing to this evolution, he highlights Calabria, alongside Campania, Puglia, Sicily and Sardinia, for producing increasingly distinctive rosé wines rooted in their own territories.
Epicarma Rosé
Among the wines included in the selection is Epicarma Calabria IGP Rosato 2025 from Tenuta del Travale.
Francesco Saverio Russo describes it as:
“Refined and rhythmic. Wild strawberry, pink grapefruit and aromatic herbs. The palate is enveloping, fresh and marked by a long savoury finish.”
As the author explains, the selection is not intended as a ranking but as a collection of wines distinguished by personality, precision, balance, recognisability and stylistic coherence.
High-Altitude Wines from Calabria
Tenuta del Travale lies in the Presila hills of Calabria, where vineyards grow at around 520 metres above sea level, surrounded by forest within the Sila UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Only native grape varieties — Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio — are cultivated. Cool nights, significant diurnal temperature variation and a naturally preserved landscape contribute to the identity of the wines produced here.
Production remains naturally limited, allowing each vintage to express the character of the site rather than conform to a predetermined style.
Made exclusively from Nerello Cappuccio, Epicarma Rosé reflects this philosophy through freshness, precision and a strong gastronomic profile, offering a contemporary interpretation of Calabria’s mountain viticulture.
Recognition for a Territory
The inclusion of Epicarma Calabria IGP Rosato 2025 in Francesco Saverio Russo’s selection reflects the growing attention that Italian wine critics are giving not only to rosé wines, but also to emerging territories capable of expressing a clear and authentic identity.
Our thanks to Francesco Saverio Russo for his work in documenting the diversity of Italian wine and for including Epicarma in this year’s selection.
Discover more
Tenuta del Travale (homepage)
Epicarma Rosé (wine page)
Our Wines (portfolio page)
Visit the Estate (hospitality page)