(U.G.) Among the many facets of the Chianti universe, a few selected examples of longevity stand out, crossing the last two centuries of history with great security. Today I am pleased to tell you the epic of the Riserva Ducale Oro of the Ruffino company which boasts an enviable record: it is the first Chianti Riserva to have been produced in 1877. After 146 years this winery is still today one of the largest producers of Chianti wines Classico and the Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale Oro is one of its most famous products. A historic wine that marked an era, a noble nectar in the most genuine sense of the term. Subsequently, the Chianti Ruffino Riserva was called Ducale in honor of the Duke of Aosta, in 1927, who was madly in love with this wine, more than a beautiful woman to whom you give your heart.

Tuscan vineyards have always be devoted to the planting of red grapes, acknowledged worldwide. Most of them are from pure Sangiovese, less or more. You are spoiled for choosing among Brunello di Montalcino, Chianti Classico and Chianti, Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino di Scansano and many others. More there are many big reds from Bolgheri.

Believe it or not, there are certain native grapes in Italy worth of high reputation, but not fully recognized in Italy among winelovers and professionals. This is even more a paradox, when we consider, among loads of native grapes, Lugana DOC, a white wine highly appreciated more abroad than in Italy. Here we go with some more information about this wine: about 1,700 hectares of vineyards and 18 mln bottles of wine per year(70% for export), about a hundred of wineries.

People living in this small piece of Piedmont are proud and stubborn. This area is squeezed between Cuneo, North of Alba, on the left bank of Tanaro river, between the plain of Carmagnola and the low hills of Asti.

This is Roero, probably a less known area than Langhe, but made up of those people that are committed in promoting at their best wineries, vineyards, local food and wines, in an admirable team work. The so-called Associazione Enoteca Regionale del Roero 2.0, based in Canale (CN), definitely the “main city of Roero”, includes 66 wine producers (all the wineries of this area).

There is a wine area in Italy, whose character is more distinguished than others: this is Valpolicella, in Veneto, North East of Italy, by Verona, the world famed city of Romeo and Juliet, the tragedy written by Shakespeare. From such a romantic and fascinating land, it comes a deep, noble and passionate red wine: Amarone della Valpolicella. This is a wine that has deeply changed in the latest decade, from a muscular, alcoholic, almost sweet chewy red, it turned into an elegant, austere, less alcoholic and elegant wine.

Pietradolce is a new estate among Etna producers, founded in 2005 by the Faro’s, a pioneer family in the green business development. The Faro’s is a leader in Europe and Middle East for growing flowers and plants, thanks to Venerando Faro, aged 72, from Aci Sant’Antonio (in Catania province) who invented and crated a Nature’s jewel, Radicepura, a natural park, water and energetic self-sufficient, in Acireale and a must-stop place for thousands of visitors every year.

Discovering “Fontodi world” has been a priceless experience. And it is not a catch-phrase. I have already tasted the wines from this vineyard some years ago, but it is a partial valuation if you do not really know the place where these wines come from. Fontodi is in the heart of Chianti Classico, in a valley South of Panzano (nearby Florence in Tuscany), a place known, since ever, as the Golden Valley. Here, thanks to a special terroir, vine growing is of high quality, because of the high altitude vineyards ( from 350 to 500 mts asl) the marly soil, sun exposure and local microclimate with important diurnal range.

“Wine and culture” or either “wine is culture”: no limits for us (LOL). But, now, the combination is made by Nittardi, a winery in Chianti Classico (and not only there), owned by Stefania Canali (history expert from Venice) and her husband Peter Femfert (German editor and art connoisseur). They bought the winery in 1981, but the estate and the amazing small village with the tower in Castellina in Chianti is dated back earlier in the history and art (that is culture, of course).