Florence Airport Will Soon Have a Rooftop Vineyard

Tuscany, one of the premier wine regions in the world, is known for its prestigious wines like Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Chianti, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, and Super Tuscans. Tuscany is also a perennially popular destination for the region’s culinary excellence.

Amerigo Vespucci Airport in Florence has recently announced an overhaul of its international terminal, complete with a new design, a re-oriented runway and, best of all, a rooftop vineyard.

US design studio Rafael Viñoly Architects unveiled the plans last week.

“A leading vintner from the region will cultivate the vineyard and the wine will be crafted and aged in specialised cellars beneath the terminal’s roof,” a spokesperson for Rafael Viñoly Architects explains.

The 19-acre vineyard will gently slope upwards, evoking the rolling Tuscan hills in the distance. There will be 38 vines in total, each measuring 2.8 metres wide and ranging from 455 to 570 metres lengthways. Between each vine, a 1.2 metre-wide skylight will allow shafts of light to flood the terminal below.

Grapes will be harvested by leading vintners in the region, produced and aged in cellars on-site. the airport will be able to hold more than 5.9 million international passengers. The airport is expected to open its first phase in 2026, and the second in 2035.

Anteprima della Vernaccia di San Gimignano, discovering a truly unique wine in Tuscany “The White Queen in a Land of Red Kings” – Filippo Magnani

A few weeks ago, experts, wine enthusiasts and the press gathered in the charming town of San Gimignano on February 16th to taste not only the new vintages of Vernaccia di San Gimignano, but also the reserve wines not yet released on the market. 41 wineries and 96 wines were presented to the Italian and international press at the De Grada Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, in the historical centre of San Gimignano.

The following two weekends the wines were also presented to 200 wine trade and wine enthusiasts at the Rocca di Montestaffoli, home of the Vernaccia Wine Experience. Here we had the extraordinary opportunity to meet the “unique, noble and rebellious” White Queen Vernaccia di San Gimignano! This is the only DOCG white wine to be produced in Tuscany where illustrious reds such as Brunello, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Chianti Classico usually take centre stage. United by a great passion for this grape and territory, the Consortium celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. It continues to support those who are the custodians and greatest interpreters of an age-old white wine tradition.

During this year’s event, Master of Wine Gabriele Gorelli conducted a Masterclass called “Timeless Vernaccia” with a vertical tasting of vintages going back as far as 1997, which was a wonderful chance to experience the results achieved with this grape over time and appreciate the longevity of the wines. The President of the Consortium described the latest vintage as a record year due to the continuing drought and high temperatures: “These did not, however, prevent Vernaccia di San Gimignano from reacting masterfully, once again, to the year’s climatic challenges, proving that this ancient, native grape variety has evolved in perfect harmony with its terroir.”

The Ancient Hills

As the cradle of white wine production in Tuscany, San Gimigano’s territory is situated completely on hills with variable exposures and altitudes of between 200 and 400m above sea level. Its ancient soils have high concentrations of fossils, shells, calcareous sediments, and clay. This composition is ideal for producing vigorous and mineral-driven white wines, and the unique combinations of all these factors, even in such a small area, make the wines produced in this denomination extremely fascinating and complex. Vernaccia is an ancient grape that, although grown throughout Italy, thrives particularly well here in San Gimignano which has become its spiritual home.  Vernaccia di San Gimignano was the first Italian wine to be granted DOC status in 1966. It was elevated to DOCG status in 1993, confirming its role as the leading white wine in Tuscany.

San Gigmignano, An Alluring Wine Destination

Almost half of San Gimignano is dedicated to farm production (vineyards, olive groves, fruit orchards and grains). It is a place where man and nature have lived together for centuries in a mutual relationship of respect. Tucked away in the Tuscan countryside, San Gimignano warmly welcomes wine enthusiasts from all over the world. It is located almost halfway between Florence and Siena (about 60 and 45 km) and is easily reachable by car or by bus. Historically the town was a place loved by important nobles and political figures of the past who left a trace of their passage, enriching this unique place with culture and art. It is known as the “Town of Towers” because in the first centuries after 1000 AD it was embellished with seventy towers and numerous palaces, built by the many wealthy families to display their wealth and power. Today 14 towers remain to create an unmistakable silhouette overlooking the surrounding Tuscan hills.

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Preview 2023 by Filippo Magnani

Tuscany’s “Old Red Wine Zone” becomes a leader in sustainability

The 2023 edition of the highly anticipated Anteprima Vino Nobile di Montepulciano returned to the medieval fortress of Montepulciano on February 15th.. The doors were opened to the public from Saturday the 18th to Monday the 20th. There were over 40 producers present, which is over half of the denomination.

Participants had the opportunity not only to taste both the 2020 vintage and 2019 reserve wines, they also had chance to learn about DOCG’s innovative projects related to sustainability and the ‘Pieve’ project which defines 12 unique zones of production called “Additional Geographic Units.”

As the first DOCG in Italy, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is also leading the way in sustainability and is now the first Italian denomination to have received the sustainability certification mark under the Equalitas standard. This has been a long journey, that started back in 1985 when the Consortium, with the support of the Municipality of Montepulciano, decided to install a network of meteorology stations to record weather data throughout the entire production area. Expert agronomists made recommendations based on the findings to limit the use of chemical pesticides. Further studies were done in 1992 and 2006 to investigate the soils and biological waste respectively. Then in 2015, the “Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Carbon Footprint” project became a model on a national scale, calculating the CO2 emissions for one bottle of Vino Nobile. The protocol established by Equalitas for certification is extremely rigorous and includes numerous environmental requirements, such as measuring the carbon footprint, the water footprint, and socio-economic compliance with free trade unions and equal opportunities.

The “Pievi” project continues the route towards the excellence of the pure expression of Sangiovese

Launched in 2021, during the pandemic, the Consorzio of Nobile di Montepulciano introduced 12 Additional Geographical Units called “Pievi” that are the result of an in-depth study of history, landscape, and wine production. The name refers to the ancient parish churches used to divide the territory into areas as far back as Roman times. The goal of the Consortium with this project is to reaffirm and codify a current physical reality with its ancient historical roots since Montepulciano is one of the oldest wines documented in the Middle Ages. In fact, one of the most interesting documents testifying to the existence of a Montepulciano wine production and marketing district dates back to a rare sales contract from 17th October 1350, preserved in the Madonna de’ Ricci (crociferi) collection found in the Italian National Archives in Florence. The first Vino Nobile wines with the “Pieve” label from the 12 selected zones will be released next year.

The noble heritage of Montepulciano

A symbol of local culture, the village of Montepulciano is situated on a gently sloping limestone hill that separates Val di Chiana from the Val del Orcia. Due to its rich history, Montepulciano represents a sort of open-air museum in the heart of one of the most popular and explored wine destinations in Tuscany. The old town is filled with Etruscan artifacts, Renaissance buildings, ornate churches decorated by illustrious artists, ancient theatres, and local artisan shops—a perfect place for wine enthusiasts to immerse themselves in Tuscan beauty and history.

 

Orcia DOC – A fascinating wine territory in the heart of Tuscany – Filippo Magnani

“The most beautiful wine in the world” is the appropriate tagline chosen by the Val d’Orcia region to promote its wines. My recent visit showed me that their quality is steadily increasing, surprisingly even in terms of how they define their territorial identity.

It is hard to find a nicer place to visit than the ‘beautiful’ Val d’Orcia, during any season of the year. Even on rainy days, a subtle fog hints romantically at the graceful profile of the rolling hills, sketched by lines of vines or olive trees, each one crowned with its own row of cypresses.

There are multiple treats for everyone: active holiday lovers can choose between the paths once walked by pilgrims on their journey to Rome (the so named “Via Francigena”, which is the Italian version of the Camino de Santiago). There are plenty of friendly hotels, all of them located in charming surroundings. Some of them welcome their guests directly in tiny, middle-aged villages that are cozy, and relaxed.

The mighty profile of Mount Amiata (an extinct volcano) provides opportunities from a hike or a bicycle ride to an alpine landscape, through silent forests of narrow trees, where it is not uncommon to meet deer, wild boar and foxes. In the winter it is possible to ski and take in the stunning views, on a clear day, from the easily reachable peak.

What better way to relax after an active day than in the historic hot springs of Bagno Vignoni or Bagni San Filippo with their freely accessible pools or luxury hotels equipped with all the comforts of a well-organized spa. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the surrounding towns, literally filled with Renaissance treasures: like San Quirico d’Orcia, or the “ideal city” of Pienza, redesigned by the humanist Pope Pius II who was born there. Cinema enthusiasts will also find locations where blockbuster movies like “The Gladiator” or “The English Patient” were filmed. For photography lovers, there are plenty of spots where they can create personal postcards, easily recognizable by the line of cars always parked along the country roads! Not to mention the renowned villages of Montepulciano and Montalcino that are also close by.

As for the gourmet traveler, the region’s local products can satisfy even the most discerning palate. Truffle hunting is an everyday activity, and visitors can have the opportunity to share in the deep love these truffle searchers have for their territory (they are the primary protectors of this natural environment). When the precious underground fruit is found by their trained dogs, whose loving relationships with their owners is touching, the enthusiasm that ensues is infectious. Local restaurants are the first to champion these treasures with homemade recipes based on pasta, game or the local tasty pecorino cheese. Dairy producers in the area can also be visited.

And then, like a jewel in the crown that shines ever more brightly, there is the wine! Orcia DOC is a small denomination in terms of production, but its territory is vastly spread out, maybe even too much so, encompassing the administrative boundaries of twelve municipalities. Consequently, there are significant differences in elevation, soil composition, exposure, and everything that influences the organoleptic features of its products. So far, total production counts less than one million bottles, divided between many relatively small family-run estates, with a few exceptions of outside investors who are nonetheless deeply involved in the promotion of the denomination, by joining its council, etc. There is still room for relevant growth, maybe even by an order of magnitude.

Their approach highlights the primary role of the Sangiovese grape, with a dedicated category. Some producers (but not many) have experimented with the native variety Foglia Tonda, as a potential flagship grape of the area, but so far, they have only arisen curiosity more than real interest. The Orcia Sangiovese Reserva ambitiously requires two years of barrel aging, and we can happily admit that in our tastings we found more than one label where the oak influence is harmoniously integrated, a feature that in late years has improved significantly.

However, it is much harder to define what to expect from an Orcia wine, or better yet what it is or should be in terms of flavours, aging potential, etc. Terroir features and vineyard location are too fragmented to be able to answer such a question.

But there is one element that helps shed some light – There is a friendly atmosphere and genuine enthusiasm. Territory interpretations might be different, especially because there can be large discrepancies in resources for both work in the vineyards and in the cellars. The importance of the human factor in the alchemy of terroir expression should not be overlooked. Wines display superior finesse and focus when they harness the most meaningful features of soil and climate, with the common goal of matching body and ripeness to the tension of Sangiovese’s acidity. This results in an impressive balance that makes each sip simultaneously carefree and captivating. Without the necessary human dedication and deep awareness that the denomination has the potential to develop in this way, such an achievement would not have been possible. The most recent accolades from wine critics, Italian guides and other wine professionals prove that this effort, which has grown naturally (also through discussions between the producers, group tastings, etc.), has been properly acknowledged.

So human commitment is probably the real strength of the Orcia DOC. Producers work passionately to improve their wines and are eager to show their efforts to wine lovers (every estate, big or small is tendentially well-organized to welcome visitors). So far tours to the wineries are limited. But I think that in the future they will become even more attractive, and more widely chosen.

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@podereforte @ConsorzioVinoOrcia

The 2022 Golden Vines® Awards will be held October 15-17 in Florence

The 2022 Golden Vines® – a definitive fine wine experience for 275+ guests will be held in Florence, Italy, for three days October 15-17 2022.

There were 450 wine professionals from 55 countries who voted for last year’s winners. This year’s event in Florence will have over 275 guests over a period of four days, and will feature wines & spirits from Dom Pérignon, Krug, Trimbach, Château Cheval Blanc, Solaia, Emidio Pepe, Taylor’s Port, Château d’Yquem, Hennessy Cognac and The Macallan.

The Oscar’s style awards ceremony & dinner to celebrate the world’s best fine wine producers & industry legends will be held at Salone dei Cinquecento, Palazzo Vecchio.

The three-day event will also feature:

  • 3 Michelin Star fine dining experience prepared by Chef Massimo Bottura and Osteria Francescana team
  • 500+ bottles of fine wine & rare spirits from Dom Pérignon P1 & P2, Trimbach Clos Sainte Hune,Château Cheval Blanc Château d’Yquem & The Macallan
  • Marc Almert @marc_almert, The 2019 ASI Best Sommelier of the World as well as The 2020 Michelin Sommelier of the Year, as The Golden Vines® Head Sommelier
  • The Golden Vines® Fine Wine, Rare Spirit & Experience Global Online Charity Auction with 100+ Auction Lots
  • The Zachys Fine WineGolden Vines® Live Auction

The target for The 2022 Golden Vines® is to raise over £1.2 million for the Gérard Basset Foundation – to fund education, learning & career opportunities for young wine professionals with a focus on global diversity, equity & inclusion-related wine, spirits & hospitality industry education programs.

PLUS:  A Gala Dinner celebrating The Golden Vines® Scholars, featuring:

  • Davide Oldani, 2 Michelin star chef of D’O, and Matteo Lorenzini, 1 Michelin star chef of Osteria di Passignano
  • Entertainment by Alessandro Ristori & The Portofinos
  • Masterclasses with Hennessy, Dom Pérignon, Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux, István Szepsy, & 4 leading Brunello di Montalcino vineyards

As well as other Private Tours, Tastings & Lunches, featuring over 500 bottles of wine from Marchesi Antinori, Emidio Pepe, KRUG ChampagneRuinart, and Richard Hennessy.

The 2022 Golden Vines®  are sponsored by:

Marchesi Antinori

Artémis Domaines

Castiglion del Bosco Winery

Dom Pérignon

Casa Ferreirinha

Gucci

Hennessy

The Macallan

Octavian

RIEDEL – THE WINE GLASS COMPANY

Robb Report

Gruppo Sanpellegrino

SGC Wine Estates

Taylor’s Port

VistaJet

Zachys Fine Wine

 

Registration and additional information about the 2022 Golden Vines® Awards can be found here: https://lnkd.in/e6Gf5hRg

 

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