As
we’re anxiously awaiting the cool weather to arrive here in the Boston
area, or should I say New Hampshire now since my recent move, I’m
starting to get back in to a red wine frame of mind and this month’s
Italian Food, Wine & Travel group is highlighting some Italian fall
reds to get the season started.
We’re going to visit one of my favorites, if not my most favorite, grape of Italy.....sangiovese. I’m sharing 4 different styles of sangiovese from the producer Badia a Coltibuono from the Tuscany region.
The Winery ~ Badia a Coltibuono
The Badia a Coltibuono winery started back in 1846 when the land was bought by Michele Giuntini, the great grandfather whom is also a cousin of the Selvapiana family of Rufina. Today the winery is run by the 7th generation of the Stucchi Prinetti family, Roberto and Emanuela Stucchi-Prinetti.
The winery is named after the Latin name “Badia a Cultus Boni” meaning the “abbey of good culture”. The Vallombrosan monks settled there in 1051 and agriculture was their way of life and primarily utilized the land for for olive oil and vines, which it’s still used today for. They were forced to sell in the 19th century. Today, in addition to the winery, there is also a cooking school operated by author, Lorenza de’ Medici di Ottajano, whom has written a boatload of cookbooks that I’m going to be seeking out myself to try.
The Land ~ Gaiole in Chianti
Badia a Coltibuono is located in Gaiole
in Chianti, which falls within the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany.
It’s one of the main communes of the Chianti Classico territory that
falls within the province of Siena located between Siena and Florence. Gaiole
in Chianti, like many of the other charming towns of Tuscany, is
surrounded by rolling Tuscan hills and vineyards stumbling across a
number of castles and churches in a rustic setting.
Every October held on the 1st Sunday of the month the popular L’Eroica is held in Gaiole
in Chianti. Since 1997 this is a vintage bike race where only bikes
built in 1987 and prior are allowed to be part of the event where they
travel on gravel roads for about 209 km. Unlike normal races where many
stop for water in this area I’m curious if some stop for a quick glass of vino. I would!
The Grapes ~ Sangiovese
Sangiovese is the most widely planted grape in Italy and the one mostly shared today. I personally love this grape for its
many typical qualities which include cherry and plum notes backed by
high acidity and firm tannins. It can be a rustic, earthy wine with
elements of spice, leather and tobacco. It’s a thin-skinned late
ripening grape.
The sangiovese
wines of the past didn’t have the greatest reputation where the focus
had been more on quantity over quality. You may remember the days of
the straw covered bottles known as fiasco. Thankfully in recent decades
sangiovese
has made some major improvements and have shifted away from the days of
quantity (well not all wineries), but there are plenty of great
producers out there making quality sangiovese today.
Sangiovese is primarily found in the central regions of Italy including Tuscany, Emilia Romagna, Lazio and Umbria. It’s made it’s away around the world to other wine producing regions like the US (primarily California) and Australia.
The Wines
The Badia a Coltibuono wines that the Stucchi-Prinetti family produce are certified organic using natural yeasts.
2015 Coltibuono Chianti Classico RS DOCG
The Coltibuono labeled wines are produced from a selection of grape growers that the family has partnered with. Made from 100% sangiovese this wine is aged a few months in neutral oak vats. An approachable, easy drinking style chianti classico with juicy cherries, supple tannins and rather smooth wine with good acid.SRP $15 ABV 13.5%
2016 Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico DOCG
All the Badia a Coltibuono labeled wines are made from the family’s estate vineyards. Produced in Monti in Chianti this wine comes from 15-25 year old vines. The wine is comprised of hand picked sangiovese primarily combined with canaiolo, ciliegiolo and colorino. Aged 1 year in French and Austrian oak casks. Compared to the last this wine was more classic chianti classico
ruby in the glass with notes of cherry and violets with hints of
tobacco and spice. Well balanced with nice acidity, solid tannins
lingering in the mouth upon completion. SRP $22 ABV 14%
2013 Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG
The winery considers this their classic wine and possesses riserve chianti classico
that date back to 1937. They had lost prior vintages due to WWII.
Sourced from vineyards of up to 40 years old this wine is also a blend
of primarily sangiovese with colorino, ciligielo and canaiolo. Aged 2 years in French and Austrian oak with 4 months in the bottle before release. A beautiful chianti classico riserva with much more complexity
and aromas of cherry, licorice, spice and chocolate notes. Full-bodied
with plenty of acidity and tannin to age this for some time. SRP $35 ABV 13.5%
2013 Badia a Coltibuono Montebello Toscana IGT
- Marcia at Joy of Wine reveals Lacrima - The Aromatic Jewel in La Marche's Crown
- Jeff at FoodWineClick gets real with his directive to Finish Up the Rosato, It's Barolo Time!
- Gwen at Wine Predator has an inspiring suggestion for Italian Red Wines for Fall? Go Pink and Pair with Pasta! #ItalianFWT
- Jane at Always Ravenous is bringing in the new season by Leaning into Fall with Beef Short Ribs and Nebbiolo
- Lauren, The Swirling Dervish, is our helpful guide to Transition into Fall with the Wines from Südtirol / Alto Adige
- Wendy from A Day In The Life On The Farm crafts a tempting pairing of Pappardelle al Ragu Di Cinghiale and a Monsanto Chianti Classico
- Camilla from Culinary Adventures With Camilla shares her secrets with A Few of My Favorite Fall Things: Truffles, Cheese, & Barolo
- Jill at L'Occasion, gives you Wine To Match The Trees: 15 Italian Reds for Fall
Future #ItalianFWT Events
October 2018 (hosted by Gwendolyn of Wine Predator) Lugana November 2018 (hosted by Katarina of Grapevine Adventures) Gaglioppo and Calabria December 2018 (hosted by Martin of Enofylz Wine Blog) Italian Sparkling Wines*These wines were provided as samples, but opinions are all my own. Imported by Dalla Terra Winery Direct.
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