In the glass
Aroma: ripe plum, cherry, herbs, light leather
Palate: soft fruit, medium tannins, good acidity, clean finish
The Piave plain Merlot DOC from Italo Cescon is a classic Trevisan everyday red. Merlot on the alluvial Piave soils produces a plum-forward, medium-bodied wine with soft tannins suited to simple food pairings.
What it pairs with
-
Grilled sausages with polenta
A canonical Veneto combination: medium-bodied red with grilled pork sausages and white polenta. -
Simple tomato pasta
Soft Merlot with medium acidity is a classic pizza-and-pasta wine.
How to serve Italo Cescon Merlot Piave DOC
Allow 65 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 60 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 14-16°C. Cellar temperature (14-16°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a Burgundy bowl with a wide opening , the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Grilled sausages with polenta, Simple tomato pasta. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Merlot has been planted in the Piave DOC zone since the late 19th century, brought by Venetian nobles who recognised its affinity with the alluvial soils of the plains. Italo Cescon has produced Piave Merlot DOC since the 1970s as part of the estate's range alongside Raboso.
- 1971 — Piave DOC established; Merlot recognised as a key variety within the appellation.
- 1975 — Italo Cescon formalises Merlot Piave DOC production.
Facts
- Producer
- Italo Cescon
- Grapes
- Merlot
- Classification
- Piave Merlot DOC
- Oak
- 6 months in Slavonian oak botti
- ABV
- 12.5%
- Price
- EUR 10-15 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3-8 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1975
Frequently asked about Italo Cescon Merlot Piave DOC
What does Italo Cescon Merlot Piave DOC taste like?
On the nose, ripe plum, cherry, herbs, light leather. On the palate, soft fruit, medium tannins, good acidity, clean finish. Structurally medium-bodied, medium tannins, medium acidity with a medium and clean finish. The Piave plain Merlot DOC from Italo Cescon is a classic Trevisan everyday red. Merlot on the alluvial Piave soils produces a plum-forward, medium-bodied wine with soft tannins suited to simple food pairings.
When should I drink Italo Cescon Merlot Piave DOC?
Drink 3-8 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Italo Cescon Merlot Piave DOC?
Grilled sausages with polenta is the canonical pairing; Simple tomato pasta is the other strong match. A canonical Veneto combination: medium-bodied red with grilled pork sausages and white polenta.
What grapes are in Italo Cescon Merlot Piave DOC?
The blend is Merlot. The wine is classified as Piave Merlot DOC.