Category: Wine Tourism

Anteprima Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2022 – an immersive experience in one of the most ancient red wine zones of Tuscany – Filippo Magnani

The unmissable preview of “Vino Nobile di Montepulciano” was held inside the Fortress of Montepulciano at the end of March in the centre of the medieval town. The doors were officially reopened to the public. For the first day of the event, wine journalists and Trade from the Montepulciano area had the opportunity to not only taste the wines, but to also meet the producers behind these beloved productions of refined quality. Two main vintages were presented:  Nobile di Montepulciano 2019, considered a great vintage, and the Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2018.

The Consorzio of Nobile di Montepulciano had previously introduced a variation to the chart of regulations last year introducing 12 Unità Geografiche Aggiuntive called “Pievi .” The name conceals the roots of the past of this Tuscan territory, and it refers to the social organization in smaller areas and the role of the monastic orders since late Roman and Lombard times.

The wine estates together with a select scientific research group, have carried out studies on both the geological and pedological side of the territory and an in-depth analysis of the territory’s history. The project started during the pandemic, and it has culminated with the production of 500,000 bottles that will be labelled Pieve, and which oversaw the public administration and its boundaries.

The bottles waiting to become Nobile di Montepulciano Pieve are now maturing, and we will have to wait until 2024 to appreciate the extraordinary work done by the consortium and the producers.  The new qualification of the vineyards of Montepulciano lays another brick in the consolidation of identity and a clearer recognition of the extraordinary Tuscan wine territory.

 

MY TASTINGS at “ANTEPRIMA”…

My favourite wines:

Winery: Poliziano
Wine: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Docg 2019

Ruby core with rims. Intense bouquet of cherry with balsamic overtones and slight scent of black pepper. Lovely entrance, round with ripe fruit, medium body. Firm, velvety tannins with a long finish.

Winery: Dei
Wine: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Docg 2019

Brillant, ruby red with compacted rim. Pronounced flavour of cassis and violet. Spicy with overtones of leather. Full bodied with quite bright acidity. Well balanced with rich red fruit and elegant tannins. Harmonious finish. A charming wine with aging potential.

Winery: Il Mulinaccio
Wine: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano “La Spinosa” Docg 2019

Clean with a deep ruby core. Lovely aromas of ripe plum with a touch of vanilla. Black cherry in the palate with a light toasty scent. Full body with round, sweet tannins. Fresh and harmonious finish. I liked it!

Winery:  Bindella
Wine: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Docg 2019

Ruby colour turning slightly purple. The nose expresses flavours of red fruit and rhubarb with a hint of mint. The palate is balanced with notes of ripe cherry and prune. Dry and fragrant, with soft tannins and long persistence. Full body with a nice end.  A great wine.

Winery: Tenuta della Talosa “Alboreto”
Wine: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Docg 2019

Brilliant, deep ruby core with violet hues. Intense flavour of black cherry and liquorice with overtones of lavender and new leather. Fragrant entrance with discrete alcohol and ripe fruit. Sweet, velvety tannins and quite long aftertaste. A harmonious, charming wine…

Winery:  Boscarelli
Wine:  Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Docg 2018 Riserva

Bright with paler reflections. Pronounced flavour of red cherry, wild blueberry, and balsamic notes and anise. Rich and well structured, good balance of body, fruit, acidity, and velvety tannins. An excellent wine.

Winery:  Le Berne
Wine:  Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Docg 2018 Riserva

Brilliant deep red. Attractive bouquet of strawberry and violet mixed with spicy notes of black pepper. Full body with lots of red fruit in the centre palate with smoky scents on the back. It expresses harmony with velvety tannins and long, fresh finish.  A lovely wine.

Winery: La Braccesca
Wine: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Docg 2018 Riserva, Vigneto Santa Pia

Medium ruby core, paler towards the edge. The wine displays intense flavour of wild berry with scents of new leather. Rich and powerful, good balance of body, fruit, acidity, and firm tannins. A lovely wine with great potential.

Winery: Contucci
Wine: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Selezione “Mulinvecchio” 2017

Intense and brilliant garnet colour. Its bouquet is intense and ample with notes of blackcurrant and violet. The palate is rich and elegant. Full bodied with impressive freshness and velvety tannins. A long finish. A great wine.

About Montepulciano

The village of Montepulciano is situated on a gentle sloping hill of limestone composition that separates the Val di Chiana from the Val d’Orcia. It is in one of the most popular and explored wine destinations in Tuscany, a symbol of local culture. Montepulciano has been a wine production zone since ancient times and witness to the progress in the cultivation techniques from the Etruscans to the modern days. Among the pillars of the Olympus of wine production in Tuscany, Montepucliano represents an open-air museum of the wine culture of the region. It is an extremely interesting destination for wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs who arrive in this magnificent territory from all over the world.

The charming old town is enriched by Etruscans finds, large Renaissance structures, important churches decorated by illustrious artists, ancient theatres, and local artisan’s shops. It is a charming village full of wonderful peculiarities where you can emerge yourself in its beauty and history and explore with help of one of the best guides of the Tuscan territory: WINE!

Production zone

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vino Nobile Vintage Chart

 

 

 

 

 

 

#VinoNobile #italianwinelovers #wine #NobilediMontepulciano #VinoNobilediMontepulciano #tuscanytourism #montepulciano #igerstuscany #igerstoscana #travelling #italianwinetourism #consorziovinonobiledimontepulciano #anteprimetoscane #anteprimavinonobile #anteprimavinonobiledimontepulciano #anteprime #anteprimeditoscana #anteprimeditoscana2022 #toscana #winelovers #wine #tuscany  #igtoscana #italianwine #italy

Italy’s largest Wine Museum to open in Verona

A few weeks ago, it announced that the city of Verona has the approval to develop a wine museum “Museo del Vino (MuVin)”, with support from the Italian Ministry of Tourism and various Italian tourism agencies. Verona is also hosting Vinitaly, one of the world’s largest wine fairs, a wine museum seems to be a good fit.

“I was in Edinburgh, Scotland, years ago, and there I had the opportunity to visit the popular Scotch Whisky Experience”, said Enrico Corsi of the Veneto Regional Council, who promoted and developed the idea behind the project, to wine news platform Decanter. “I wondered why something similar could not be done with wine in Italy. I realised that we did not have anything comparable in our country, apart from a bunch of smaller private initiatives.”

Minister of Tourism Massimo Garavaglia was pleased with the promotion. “The real innovation here is that, with the MuVin, Verona will become a hub for the whole country and in particular for the Italian wine tourism sector. This project has the capacity to go far, and we’re 100% behind it”, Italian food news platform Foodtop reported.

MuVin is now a €50 million project that will feature a museum, visitor and exhibition centre located in Verona’s Gallerie Mercatali. The venue will be opposite the city’s exhibition area, which hosts a number of popular shows all year-round, including Vinitaly itself. MuVin will also feature an ‘experiential path’ that will show visitors the history of wine, viticulture, wine production, the impact of climate change on wine production, and wine and food pairing.

The museum wants to offer educational activities as well, with wine lovers welcomed to learn wine-tasting techniques as well as to conduct virtual visits to wineries and UNESCO heritage vineyards in augmented reality rooms. According to Corsi, the project should be finished in four years. “We expect MuVin to be ready by 2026, when Northern Italy will host the next Winter Olympics.”

Sources: Decanter, Euronews, Foodtop (Italian), L’Adige (Italian)

 

#wine #winenews #winetrade #winetourism #winemuseum #verona #MuVinVerona
#italianwine #italianwinelovers #Vinitaly #wineandfood #MuseodelVino #MuseodelVinoVerona
#winelovers

Sicilia en Primeur 2022…. It’s a Wrap!

What an amazing experience attending Sicilia en Primeur 2022!  Assovini Sicilia has certainly set the bar high for its eighteenth edition, and I believe the attending journalists will attest that this.

By the Numbers

This year is the 18th edition. In attendance were 80 national and international journalists. There were 7 wine tours, over 500 wines tasted, and 1 Masterclass.

After two years, the itinerant event organized and produced by Assovini Sicilia, was held in Erice, in the historical venue “Centro di Cultura Scientifica Ettore Majorana.” The medieval town of Erice has previous welcomed journalists, scientists, scholars, institutions, and enologists.

Inaugural Conference – some highlights 

The conference and opening of Sicilia en Primeur 2022 was held on April 30 with renowned Journalist Massimo Giletti as the host and various guest speakers giving their technical-scientific presentations on the theme “Back to the roots. Sicily experiencing the future.” Including a presentation by Professor Antonio Zoccoli, (President of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics) “Wine is also physics, and neutrino detectors are useful to unmask wine frauds” and he further states that “There is no wine without neutrino.”

Professor Marco Moriondo (Institute of Bioeconomics of CNR in Florence) states “Wine-growing Sicily is less exposed to climate change thanks to its soils, terroir, biodiversity and microclimates.”

Enologist Mattia Filippi and founder of Uva Sapiens states “Sicily is nowadays enjoying a privileged condition and its viticulture structure is so strictly connected with its traditions that a series of productive variables are extremely relevant also with regard to climate change.”

The Mayor of Erice, Daniela Toscano, along with Lorenzo Zichichi, both hosts of the “Centro di Cultura Scientifica Ettore Majorana”, mentioned the historical and scientific vocation of the medieval town of Erice.

Laurent de la Gatinais, the President of Assovini Sicilia, spoke of Sicily as “a miniature continent. Its diversity will be the key of our future. Therefore, we need to focus on vine, its study, its development. It has always been said that the human factor is fundamental in the production cycle, and today I strongly believe that it is more and more actual and understood as science, knowledge, and know-how. This is the only way we can tackle important issues, such as that of climate change. Assovini Sicilia wants to be the advocate and pioneer in leading the future of Sicilian viticulture following new models.”

“Sicily is today the largest organic wine area in Italy” comments Antonio Rallo, the President of Consorzio di Tutela Vini DOC Sicilia. It is a territory that by its very nature identifies sustainability as the keystone of the Sicilian viticulture system. This is the direction to where the industry of the island is moving, towards quality wines, authentic and recognizable in their identity and sustainable throughout the whole production process.”

Sicilia en Primeur is not only an important event for the Sicilian wine industry. It is also a perfect opportunity to showcase Sicily’s viticulture and historical-archaeological heritage through its wine tours. Stay tune for my updates on the wine tour.

#winesofsicily #sicilianwines #italianwines #travelsicily #siciliaenprimeur2022 #siciliaenprimeur #DocSicilia #ViniDocSicilia #SiciliaDoc #Sicilia #Sicily #SicilyWine #WineofSicily #DrinkSicily #sicilianwine #sicilianwines #vinosiciliano #vinosicilia #vinisiciliani #winelovers #wineexperience #travelling #instadaily #winetravels #winetourism #traveler #travelgram #winetasting #wineinfluencer #wineadventures #traveldiary #traveling #italianwine #italianwinelovers #AssoviniSicilia #erice2022

The Balio Gardens – Erice Sicily

A few days ago we had an amazing lunch with local specialities, accompanied with some lovely Sicilian wines on the grounds of The Balio Gardens, Erice.

Some History and Viewpoints

The Balio Gardens are built in 1872 by Conte Pepoli around the Castle of Venus. The gardens are of English design and style.

While enjoying our incredible lunch at the various stations around the castle, we are welcomed with stunning panoramic views of the Gulf of Trapani, salt pans of Trapani, Egadi Archipelago and the coast of Marsala. Apparently, on a clear day, it is possible to see Capo Bon, North East Tunisia.

#foodiesofinstagram #eats #foodstagram #instafood #foodpic #foodgasm #delicious #foodoftheday #foodpics #Italianfood #foodandwine #foodandwinetasting 

#winesofsicily #sicilianwines #italianwines #siciliaenprimeur2022 #siciliaenprimeur #SicilyWine #WineofSicily #DrinkSicily #sicilianwine #sicilianwines #vinosiciliano  #winelovers #wineexperience #travelling  #winetourism #traveler #wineinfluencer #wineadventures #traveling #italianwine #italianwinelovers #AssoviniSicilia #erice2022

@assovinisicilia @just_sicily @wineinsicily 

Discover the Kingdom of Vernaccia di San Gimignano Through the Wine Preview “Anteprima  2022”

March 2022: The Tuscan Previews explore the charming hamlet of San Gimignano. The event was dedicated to Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2021, Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg Riserva 2020 and the wines of previous vintages that are yet to be released, all accompanied by an impeccable sommelier service. For the occasion, the consortium chose two principal venues: the De Grada Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art for the tasting of the seventy-six wines produced by thirty-five wineries and the Sala Dante in the Palazzo Comunale that will be the location of the 17th edition of the comparative technical-professional tasting series “White Wine and Its Territories”. A day in which the whole town of San Gimignano is coloured “gold” showing off the sense of belonging and sharing of this small piece of land.

2022 marks an important year: fifty years ago, a group of landowners and forward-looking producers gathered to organize a Consortium. The road was paved, and with every passing year, more awareness and determination are put in by the producers enhancing the path of success of the Vernaccia di San Gimignano. It is a place where man and nature have lived together for centuries in a mutual relationship of respect.  It is this indissoluble link to the theme of the tasting because San Gimignano has always been an example of the quality of life, professionalism, and know-how in terms of viticulture. Man brought art, culture and wrote its history, nature gave them the extraordinary Vernaccia Grape, a real “White Queen in the Land of Red Kings”. Surrounded by the city wall of San Gimignano every year professionals and wine lovers have the chance to taste the new vintages of wines made in this fascinating territory.

SAN GIMIGNANO, THE CRADLE OF THE WHITE WINE PRODUCTION IN TUSCANY 

San Gimignano is a small town of Siena, rich in charm and history. The village of San Gimignano is located almost halfway between Florence and Siena (about 60 and 45 km) and is easily reachable by car or a bus. It is a territory situated completely on hills with altitudes of between 200 and 400 m above sea level. The soils are of the Pliocene era, dating back to between 6.8 and 1.8 million years. And it is certainly the composition of the ancient soil that makes the wines produced in this denomination extremely fascinating and complex. The terroir of this area is characterized by the presence of fossils and shells, it is composed of Pliocene soil and clay. These extremely calcareous sediments make the soil ideal to create vigorous and mineral white wines. The surface area of the Municipality of San Gimignano is about 12,500 hectares, 5,600 of which are destined to farm productions (vineyards, olive groves, cereal crops). The San Gimignano hills present variable exposures, altitudes, soil compositions and availability of water, the multiple and sometimes unique combinations of these single factors have, even in such a small area, a significant impact on the characteristics of the wines produced there.

San Gimignano, A Magical Wine Destination 

San Gimignano is definitely a destination worth discovering and visiting. Hidden in the Tuscan countryside, the small “town of the towers” is completely integrated into the gentle nature surrounding it. It is a land characterised by a long farming tradition that dates back to the middle of the 13th century, a place where the experience of wine blends with the history of man on its rolling hills. San Gimignano was a place loved by important nobles and political figures of the past who left the trace of their passage, enriching this unique place with culture and art.

The city of San Gimignano in the first centuries after 1000 AD was embellished with seventy towers and numerous palaces, built by the many wealthy families to display their wealth and power. Still today, fourteen beautiful towers remain to characterize the city centre and making the unique and recognizable silhouette on the crowned hill.

TASTING REPORT 

During my stay at San Gimignano, I have blind tasted all the wines, majestically presented by the Consorzio del Vino Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2021 (40 wines reviewed)

on my radar

Winery:  Fornacelle  

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2021

Pale yellow core with greenish hues. The nose is fresh and fruity with scents of lemon and apricot. Vibrant entrance with medium alcohol. Dry with good acidity and a fruity finish. Lovely wine.

Winery:  Casale Falchini  

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2021 –  Benozzo   

Pale straw core with a watery rim. Intense flavour of ginger with scent of apricot.

Dry, fragrant palate with good acidity. Rich and elegant aftertaste. I enjoy it!

Winery:  Guicciardini Strozzi  

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2021 –  Villa Cusona

Brilliant, deep yellow colour. Intense bouquet of lemon and jasmine flowers with a hint of mint. Fragrant entrance, round with ripe fruit and good acidity.  Well structured, mineral and complex.  I like it very much.

Winery:  Fattoria di Fugnano  

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2021 – Da Fugnano 

Medium yellow core with light hues. The wine displays an intense perfume white grapefruit, and lemon with a light note of mint. Dry, sapid, and intense with lively acidity. Well balanced and harmonious. An excellent wine.

Winery:  Tenuta Le Cancinaie

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2021

Straw coloured with paler rim. Pronounced flavour of pineapple with peachy overtones. Vibrant entrance with medium alcohol. The mouth is intense and fresh with racy acidity. Quite a long finish. A very good wine!

Winery:  La Lastra 

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2021

Brilliant, yellow colour. Intense bouquet of lemon and jasmine flowers with a hint of petrol. Fragrant entrance, round with ripe fruit and high acidity. Well-structured, mineral, and quite complex. I really like it!

Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2020 (12 wines reviewed)

on my radar

Winery:  Montenidoli   

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2020 – Fiore 

Pale yellow core with greenish hues. The bouquet is intense and ample with notes of grapefruit and apricot with scents of ginger. Dry with good acidity and a fruity, long finish with pleasant light notes of almond. A great wine.

Winery:  Panizzi 

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2020 – Vigna Santa Margherita  

Yellow core, lighter on the edge. Intense flavour of citrus fruit and green apple with light floral notes. Dry with lovely acidity which matches a good alcohol level. The aftertaste is persistent A fine, charming wine!

Winery:  Cesani 

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2020 – Clamys 

Straw yellow core. The wine expresses a beautiful bouquet of lime and orange peel with overtones of thyme. Fresh, balanced palate with good persistence. The acidity matches well with the fruit. A delicious wine!

Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2020 Riserva (4 wines reviewed).

on my radar

Winery:  Signano     

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2020 Riserva – La Ginestra

Clean with a beautiful nose of apricot and mango with flowery overtones and a hint of almond. Medium body with crispy acidity and lovely sapidity. The alcohol is well balanced with the fruit, elegant aftertaste. A fine wine with aging potential.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2019 Riserva (10 wines reviewed).

on my radar

Winery:  Cappella Sant’Andrea  

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2019 Riserva – Prima Luce

Clear gold yellow core with paler reflections. Intriguing nose with flavour of pear and matured fruit with a hint of almond. Lovely, creamy palate with present acidity and good persistence. Lovely wine.

Winery:  Il Colombaio di Santa Chiara   

Wine:   Vernaccia di San Gimignano Docg 2019 Riserva – L’albereta 

Medium yellow core with paler rims. It expresses nice aromas of lemon and peach mixed with light notes of acacia. It is vibrant and structured to the palate with harmonious and fresh finish. Good aging potential.