'cherry-red') relates to the deep color the wine obtains from even very brief skin-contact with the highly pigmented skins of the Montepulciano grapes.

[2] In Abruzzo, cerasuolo has always referred to the rosé style of wine made in the region.

Finished Cerasuolo wines must have a minimum alcohol level of 12%, and be released no earlier than 1 January of the year following vintage (about 2–3 months of bottle age).

For wines marked Superiore, the minimum alcohol is higher at 12.5% and the earliest release date is 1st of March in the year following vintage (about 4–5 months of bottle age).

[1] According to Bastianich, Cerasuolo tend to be a darker red colour than typical rosé wines from France or other regions of Italy, more intense, medium-bodied, with aromas of orange peel, cinnamon, strawberry and dried cherries.