The Silver Lining of Bolgheri: The Wines of Tenuta Argentiera

In the heart of southern Tuscany is one of one of Italy and Tuscany’s prestigious wine regions, Bolgheri.  Wine lovers may be most familiar with this territory for the innovate “Super Tuscan” reds that hit the scene in the late 20th century. I was introduced to these wines via a virtual tasting hosted by Argentiera and Studio Cru and led by Argentiera’s winemaker, Nicoló Carrara, whom has been their winemaker wince 2009. 

Nicoló Carrara 

In this article I feature the wines of Argentiera, a winery that takes pride in its distinctive reds made from Bordeaux grapes such as Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot.   

Where is Bolgheri? 

Bolgheri sits in the southwestern part of Tuscany covering over 3,700 acres of land.  The area is in the shape of an amphitheater that hugs the Tuscan coastline for 8 miles.  The vineyards slowly slope downwards towards the Tyrrhenian Sea while being backed by hills and surrounded with the biodiversity of the Tuscan forest.  

Argentiera has some of Bolgheri’s highest elevated vineyards in the area reaching up to 650 feet above sea level overlooking the Tuscan Archipelago and Tyrrhenian Sea.  It is here that the grapes receive frequent sea breezes helping with ventilation for the grapes along with reflection off the sea further exposing the grapes to the warmth from the sun.  The diurnal swings in temperature help with the freshness and high acidity in the wines.   

The wines obtain minerality from the stony, mineral rich soils.  In the lower parts it is more sandy and red due to the sea.  In the higher sections the soils consist of more limestone and clay. 

About Argentiera 

The history of Bolgheri is known for its silver mining during the time of the Etruscans, silver translating to argento in Italian, hence the name of the winery, Argentiera. The estate was founded in 1999 in the town of Castagneto Carducci by Florentine entrepreneurs, the Fratinis.  Originally it was part of the Donoratico estate that belonged to the Florence family, Serristori, whom acquired it in 1512.  

The Argentinera estate consists of 100 acres that is only about one mile from the Tyrrhenian Sea amongst the hills of Donoratico. 

 

Argentiera’s mission is to create wines in the vineyard that demonstrate elegance and freshness and to maintain those expressions throughout the winemaking process.  In 2016 when Stanilaus Turnauer, an Austrian entrepreneur, took over Argentiera, his aim was to respect the heritage and provide an innovative approach to winemaking while giving these wines the international attention they deserve.  It came to life under known Marchese Piero Antinori, one of the Bolgheri DOC’s founders joined with the expertise of agronomist now CEO, Federico Zileri Dal Verme. 

The wines of Argentiera 

These wines I sampled show both power and elegance with a distinct expression of the territory while representing a land and winery backed by a rich history. 

2022 Argentiera Donoratico Bolgheri Rosso DOC is named after the hills of Donoratico nearby and the original villa from the 18th century.  These vineyards are 90% made up of clay.  The wine is polished and an approachable style in comparison to the Bolgheri Superiore.  This wine is made up of 46% Merlot, 43% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc and is refined in 500 liter oak tonneaux. 

Villa Donoratico

Deep ruby in color with aromas of forest berries with some spice and a hint of licorice.  Full-bodied and dry on the palate with rich, plush darker fruit, but still showing freshness and elegance.  I personally preferred this wine over the Poggio Ai Ginepri for it’s fruit profile and character.  ABV 14.5%, SRP $55. 

The 2022 Argentiera Poggio Ai Ginepri Toscana IGT  is made of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot that are all separately vinified.  These grapes are grown on 30 hectares that are located closest to the ancient coastal round, Aurelia.  There the soils are full of red sands.   

The wine comes from younger vines.  It’s bright ruby in color with aromas of cherries and blackberries.  Medium to full bodied, dry with notes of black currants and blackberries.  ABV 14.5%, SRP $30 

The 2023 Argentiera Scenario Bolgheri Bianco DOC Vermentino is made from 100% Vermentino grown in small vineyards that were planted 6 years ago at the top of the Donoratico hills.  It’s a smaller production for Argentiera with only 3,000 bottles produced annually.  Brilliant straw color in the glass.  Medium bodied that is fresh, displaying citrus and stone fruits along with some nice minerality showing on the palate.  ABV 12.5%  

The flagship wines of Argentinera are the Argentiera Bolgheri Superiore DOC wines.  I was lucky to do a side by side comparison of the 2021 Argentiera Bolgheri Superiore and the 2022 vintage.  Similar in style with my personal preference leaning towards the 2022 vintage, although winemaker Nicolo said that the 2021 vintage was the one of the best for its weather.

With a slight difference on the blends, the 2022 Argentiera Bolgheri Rosso Superiore DOC is made up of 46% Merlot, 435 Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc.  This wine receives no more than 14 months aging in wood including French barrique, tonneaux and 3000 liter big casks.  It spends 6 months in concrete before the final blend and less than a year in the bottle.  Deep ruby in color with intense fruit aromas of plum, raspberry, blackberry and currant along with some sweet tobacco and spice.  Full-bodied with concentrated black fruits on the palate, nice structure and freshness.  ABV 14%, SRP $150. 

The 2021 Argentiera Bolgheri Rosso Superiore DOC is a blend of 48% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon jand 7% Cabernet Franc.  Also deep ruby in color with similar aromas to the 2022.  Full-bodied with rich black fruits and a solid tannic backbone and good acidity. A silkiness on the finish along with touch of cedar.  ABV 14.5%, SRP $150 

You can find the wines from Argentiera on Wine.com to try.  I may receive compensation for any wines purchased through the affiliate link in support of Vino Travels.

Importer: Volio Imports 

Don't miss an Italian wine blog ~ Subscribe

 

 

Donnachiara Fiano di Avellino: The Perfect Italian Campanian White Wine

Campania is one of Italy’s rich historic wine regions located in southern Italy and is home to some of Italy’s greatest wines from native grapes including Aglianico, Greco di Tufo and Fiano.  Most tourists will travel to the coastal side of Campania including the Amalfi Coast, Naples and Mt. Vesuvius.  Although if you branch out and head inland you will find the province of Avellino and today’s feature on the Donnachiara winery and the native grape, Fiano.   

Winemaking in Avellino 

Winemaking has existed in Campania since the Greeks planted vineyards there over 2,500 years ago.  Avellino is an inland, mountainous area that is situated about 1 hour east of Napoli that grows ancient grape varieties on volcanic soils, that are rich in minerals which lend structure and depth to the wines. The wine territory spans from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Apennines with the coast featuring Mediterranean climates and the more inland provinces, such as Avellino, having cooler climates with higher elevations. The grapes experience diurnal shifts, which is well suited to the white grapes of this area providing freshness and bright acidity to the wines.   

Copyright of Consorzio Irpinia Vini

Some of the top wineries of Avellino 

There are many great wineries of Avellino to include the historic producer Mastroberardino, who helped revive the native grapes of the area post WWII.  Feudi di San Gregorio, Villa Raiano and Tenuta Cavalier Pepe are additional wineries to consider along with today’s feature, Donnachiara, whom I’ve highlighted several times over the years.  Donnachiara winery is a female led winery since 2005 and is currently owned and managed today by Ilaria Petito. 

The Fiano grape 

Fiano is an ancient grape that is about 2,000 years old that faced extinction during phylloxera.  The grape’s best expression is found specifically in the territory of Avellino where it is labeled as the Fiano di Avellino DOCG if it meets the regulations to be labeled as so.  The wines are made from a minimum of 85% Fiano grapes with up to 15% Greco, Coda di Volpe Bianca and Trebbiano Toscano. 

Fiano grapes - copyright of Consorzio Vini Irpinia 

Fiano is a mid to late ripening grape that is an aromatic, floral grape that shows nice purity of fruit with elegance and structure. It has a medium to full body wine showing tropical fruits, citrus, pear, apple and some possible almond, hazelnut or honeyed notes. 

The Wine 

The 2019 Donnachiara Fiano di Avellino DOCG was straw colored and quite flavorful with lush tropical and tangerine notes on the palate.  This wine is fuller bodied, well-balanced with a richer mouthfeel and slight tanginess.  These wines can be enjoyed within 3-5 years, but as these wines age they take on a nutty character and richer texture. 

You can find many Donnachiara and a variety of Fiano wines on Wine.com to try.  I may receive compensation for any wines purchased through the affiliate link in support of Vino Travels.

Don't miss an Italian wine blog ~ Subscribe

 

 

Moris Farms: Exploring the Maremma and Morellino di Scansano

You may be most familiar with the Sangiovese from Tuscany used in the esteemed Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wines, but what about Sangiovese from southern Tuscany?  If you’re a lover of Sangiovese like I am, than the Maremma of southern Tuscany is a must try and visit. 

Where is the Maremma 

The Maremma is located in the southwestern part of Tuscany in the province of Grosseto. If you’re a lover of unspoiled beauty and nature, the Maremma covers a vast landscape with an abundance of forests and hills.  If it also filled with a sunshine drenched coastline for those that adore the beaches and relaxation in the sun.  

Copyright of Moris Farms

All about Morellino di Scansano 

Sangiovese produced in the Maremma is also called Morellino.  The Morellino di Scansano appellation is named after the medieval town itself in which the grape is primarily grown, in Scansano.  It was granted DOC status in 1978 and upgraded to become a DOCG in 2007.  The territory covers over 160,000 acres of land in the hills running north to south and 15 miles across the eastern plains of Albinia out to the Grosseto plains and the Tyrrhenian Sea.  You’ll find two rivers: Ombrone in the north close to Scansano, and the Albegna in the south.   

The area in which Morellino di Scansano is produced receives the breezes from the Tyrrhenian Sea, which helps to mitigate the temperature and its location also helps to protect it from the cold northernly winds.   

Morellino di Scansano is made from a minimum of 85% Sangiovese and up to 15% other red grapes allowed in Tuscany can be utilized in the blend.   

What’s the difference between Sangiovese used in Morellino di Scansano from southern Tuscany in comparison to its northernly neighbors in Tuscany?  The wines of Morellino tend to be rounder, savory, with a rustic side along with showing freshness and ripeness of the grapes.  These wines tend to be fresh and lively and display red fruits including cherries and plums.  You’ll also note some spices, cedar and maybe even some leather. 

The Winery ~ Moris Farms

I’ve been sitting on a wine I’ve been wanting to try for some time, a 2019 Moris Farms Morellino di Scansano DOCG.  This winery started their first bottling of Morellino di Scansano in 1981, a few years after the DOC was established. 

This wine hails from Moris Farm’s Poggio La Mozza Estate in Scansano.  This estate was acquired back in 1971 by Gualtier Luigi Moris, which covers about 135 acres of land, with about 86 acres dedicated to vineyards.  This vineyard is located on the hills between Grossetto and the Tyrrhenian Sea.  The grapes used to be transported to their Poggetti Estate until the son-in-law, Adolfo Parentini, in 1981 started the cantina and began to produce the wines directly at Poggio La Mozza. 

Adolfo was a founding member of the Morellino di Scansano Consorzio and one of the pioneers, along with other local producers, on the development of the DOCG designation. 

The wine 

The 2019 Moris Farms Morellino di Scansano DOCG is made from 90% Sangiovese along with 10% Merlot and Syrah.  The grapes are macerated for 15 days and fermented in stainless steel for 4 months with an additional 2 months spent in the bottle.  These wines can be released as soon as March  after the harvest.  

This wine was a transparent ruby color with garnet hues.  Dark cherry notes on the nose with baking spices and a slight earthiness.  Medium-bodied and smooth on the palate with subtle tannins showing nice elegance.  Rich cherry notes lend to a rustic, earthiness in the glass with moderate acidity.  13% ABV, $15-18 SRP 

How to reach the Maremma 

Grosseto is the main hub of the Maremma to use as your travel destination.  If you’re flying in you can fly into either Rome and travel north or the Pisa and Florence airports and head south.  If you’re coming by train or bus, head for Grosseto and go from there.  You can easily reach the Maremma from the north by highway SS1.  This is the less scenic route, but will allow you to travel from a farther distance and is therefore the easiest.  If you’re coming from within Tuscany heading from Florence or Siena in the north you can take the more scenic route on the SS223. 

Importer: Ideal Wine & Spirits 

You can find many a variety of Morellino di Scansano wines on Wine.com to try.  I may receive compensation for any wines purchased through the affiliate link in support of Vino Travels.

Don't miss an Italian wine blog ~ Subscribe