Hidden Gems of Emilia-Romagna: The Wines of Poderi dal Nespoli

Let’s start the weekend on an exploration of the wines of the Emilia-Romagna wine region in north central Italy with a focus on the Poderi dal Nespoli winery. Recently I attended a virtual wine tasting led by wine educator, Filippo Bartolotta, and the winemaker of Poderi dal Nespoli, Scipione Giuliani.   Despite the reputation of of its surrounding neighbors, Emilia-Romagna is one of Italy's underappreciated wine regions so lets change that one bottle at a time starting with Poderi dal Nespoli.

All About the Poderi dal Nespoli winery 

The Poderi dal Nespoli winery is tucked into the rolling hills in the Romagna part of the region. Even though Emilia-Romagna is technically one region, they associate as two separate regions. If you’ve traveled throughout Italy you understand that each region has its own wine, cuisines and even dialect so these differences can be noticeable as you journey throughout the country. 

Romagna is about an hour drive north from Florence.   This area is part of the via Emilia, which is an ancient Roman military road dating as far back as 181 BC.  The road travels a few hundred kilometers and borders the Appennine Mountains in the south to the northern lowlands known as the Pianura Padana.   

Poderi dal Nespoli was originally founded in 1929 and is one of the brands owned by the Argea Group, Italy’s largest private group, that also owns Zaccagnini in Abruzzo and Ricossa and Cuvage in Piedmont. 

The White Wines of Poderi dal Nespoli 

The white wines I tasted from Poderi dal Nespoli include their indigenous Albana along with their Chardonnay.  The Albana grape is one that is only found in this region.  The Albana di Romagna DOCG was one of the first white DOCG’s established in 1987.  It can be produced in a number of different styles, but is mostly found in a dry style.  These grapes carry a lot of acidity and are semi-aromatic with notes of citrus, tropical fruits and apricots.   

The 2023 Poderi dal Nespoli Scanade Albana di Romagna DOCG Secco is made from 100% Albana grapes.  It’s a bone dry wine that is fermented 70% in stainless steel and 30% in barrique.  It’s then aged 2 months in barrique with 12 months in the bottle.  This is a new wine for the Poderi dal Nespoli winery that is a project in conjunction with wine expert, Ricardo Cotarella.  The grapes are hand harvested and gently hand selected on a table with care.  This wine was brilliant straw colored.  Light to medium bodied, dry and crisp with notes of lemon pith and a slight bitterness.  The minerality shows up nicely towards the finish.ABV 12%, SRP $35 

The 2023 Poderi dal Nespoli Lostar Forli IGT Chardonnay is fermented 30% in barrique and aged 5 months in barrique with partial malolactic.  Brilliant straw colored.  A hint of vanilla and apple aromas.  Medium-bodied on the palate with notes of apple nicely balanced with acidity. ABV 13%, SRP $39 (not currently available). 

The Red Wines of Poderi dal Nespoli 

Moving on to the red wines we will start with my favorite of the pick. The 2021 Poderi dal Nespoli “Il Nespoli” Romagna DOC Sangiovese Superiore Riserva is made from 100% Sangiovese.  Scipione said that this is their best label of the winery and I would agree.  The wine is fermented in stainless steel and aged 12 months in French oak.  Deeper ruby in color with aromas of dark cherry, blackberries and licorice.  Medium to full-bodied and very smooth and elegant on the palate.  Nicely structured with soft tannin and rich in ripe cherries and a touch of vanilla.  ABV 14.5%, SRP $49 

This next wine they have been making since the early 80’s.  The 2020 Poderi dal Nespoli Borgo dei Guidi Rubicone IGT is a blend of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon.  The Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards are made from 40-year-old vines.  The wine is vinified in stainless steel and aged 8-10 months in barrique.  Dark fruits of blackberries and plums on the nose.  Full-bodied and structured with dark fruits showing nicely on the palate.  This wine is well balanced.  A touch of oak showing on the finish.  ABV 14%, SRP $45 

The 2022 Poderi dal Nespoli Gualdo Romagna DOC Sangiovese Predappio Biosimbiotico is made from 100% Sangiovese.  It’s vinified and aged in stainless steel at least 10 months.  This is an organic wine from their single vineyard in the Predappio sub zone.  Deeper ruby in color with aromas of black cherry, violet and licorice.  Medium to full-bodied with dark cherries on the palate.  Delicate tannins and good acidity.  ABV 13.5%, SRP $39 

The 2023 Poderi dal Nespoli Prugneto Romagna DOC Sangiovese Superiore is their highest produced wine.  Another single vineyard and organic wine, it is vinified and aged in stainless steel with 30% aged several months in large oak casks.  Ruby colored with aromas of forest fruits.  Dry and full-bodied on the palate showing juicy dark fruits, especially blueberries.  Moderate in tannin and a presence of oak on the finish. ABV 13.5%, SRP $18 

From the richer character of their Sangiovese to the crisp, food friendly whites, Poderi dal Nespoli's wines offer a compelling window into a wine region that rewards the curious drinkers willing to explore.

Importers: A number of these wines are imported by Kindred Vines Import Co along with Grace Imports. These wines were provided as samples, but opinions are always my own.

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A Classic Tuscan Pairing: Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico Riserva with Ribollita

Le Mie Cose Preferite, "my favorite things", is the theme of this month's Italian Food, Wine & Tasting group hosted by Camilla.  The focus this month is to highlight our favorite Italian wines, along with a pairing or travel tale.  Picking a favorite Italian wine is not an easy task for someone like myself.  I honestly have so many favorites!  When my hand is twisted, though, I must turn to one of my favorite grapes, Sangiovese.  This is a grape produced throughout many of Italy's wine regions, mostly central Italy, but it finds its true home in the region of Tuscany.   

 

Sangiovese throughout Italy 

 

With that, Tuscany holds a special place in my heart as it's where I first came to fall in love with the country many moons ago when studying abroad in college.  It was a life-changing experience for me, and although I didn't enjoy wine at that time, I have truly come to appreciate the Sangiovese grape and its many expressions.  Whether it's produced in the heart of Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, southern Tuscany in the Maremma, Umbria or in the Emilia Romagna region.  These are just a few of the many ways I have enjoyed the expressions of this grape. 

 

The Ricasoli Brolio estate 

 

You may recall that I featured this renowned winery, Barone Ricasoli, some years ago, and an earlier vintage of this wine that I’m sharing today.  The Ricasoli family is one of the most historic throughout Italy and the world.  According to wine.com, they are “the fourth oldest family business in the world” and the “oldest winery in Italy” with over 880 years of ownership.  Now that’s some history!   

 

The Ricasoli family is made up of a two-time Prime Minister, Baron Bettino Ricasoli, who also developed the recipe for Chianti back in 1872.  The family also contributed to the unification of Italy and helped defend Florence against Siena.  The family acquired the Brolio estate in Gaiole in 1141 and operates 580 acres of sustainable vineyards.  Today the winery is led by Baron Francesco Ricasoli since 1993.  He is the 32nd owner and president of the winery from within the family. 

 

Wine selection  - Barone Ricasoli Brolio Chianti Classico

 

Although if I had to pick my favorite expression of Sangiovese it would be in Brunello di Montalcino.  I wasn't quite ready to sit and thoroughly enjoy a bottle of Brunello this week in preparation for this blog, so I chose a 2016 Barone Ricasoli Brolio Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG.    The 2016 vintage is made of 80% Sangiovese, 15% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine was rather transparent in color with ruby to garnet coloring on the edges.  There were herbal aromas combined with dried cherries and dried roses.  On the palate, this wine was beautifully well-balanced.  Medium-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and nice cherry flavors on the palate. The elegance of this wine makes it so lovely to drink.  ABV 14%.  

A Tuscan pairing of Ribolitta with Chianti Classico 

 

Since time has been quite short lately and I feel I've been just getting by most days feeding the family, I decided to make the time to pair this wine with a Tuscan classic soup, ribollita.  There is nothing like a good soup when the cold weather hits.  Ribollita is a hearty Tuscan soup with a rather thicker consistency than most.   

 

The name comes from the word rebollire, meaning reboiled.  Ribollita was considered a peasant cuisine during the Middle Ages when reheating leftover vegetable soup with stale bread was a tasty meal.  It's just one of the examples of cucina povera, translating to poor kitchen, that was an inexpensive but easy meal to enjoy for peasant families that utilized simple ingredients. That's one of the things I have always appreciated about the Tuscan cuisine I have experienced from my travels throughout the region. Simple ingredients, but full of flavor.   

 

It was an easy preparation of this dish by sautéing onions, carrots, and celery in extra virgin olive oil until softened.  I added some garlic along with a cup of white wine, a can of whole peeled tomatoes, and 4 cups of vegetable broth.  I let these cook over medium for a bit, breaking up the whole tomatoes.  I then added two cans of cannellini beans, fresh kale, along with some spices to include Italian seasonings, kosher salt, a bay leaf and some parmesan rind.  I let this simmer for at least 30 minutes.  Upon serving a slice of toasty bread and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil will add a nice touch to enjoy.   

Enjoy your piece of Tuscany from your own kitchen! 

Join the rest of our Italian food and wine loving friends as they share some of their favorite Italian wines and pairings.

• Deanna of Wineivore talks about Alta Langa: Italy's Sparkling Wine from Piedmont 
• Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm asks A Favorite Italian Wine? How do I begin to choose? 
• Linda My Full Wine Glass suggests we Follow the orange thread: Biodynamic Pecorino from Abruzzo 
• Camilla of Culinary Cam writes about Two of My Favorite Things: Cucina Povera and a Bottle with My Name on It

You can find a more recent vintage of this wine for $32 on Wine.com to try.  I may receive compensation for any wines purchased through the affiliate link in support of Vino Travels. 

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*This wine was provided as a sample, but opinions are always my own. 

 

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 selection - Moris Farms Morellino di Scansano

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. 

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.

Importer: Ideal Wine & Spirits 

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