Best Wines

(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.

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.

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.

Today I introduce you an absolutely new wine, as, while I am writing it is going to be released on the domestic and foreign market. It is produced in a special area of “my” Sicily , the area of production is  Cerasuolo di Vittoria Classico, the sole DOCG of the island. It is made by one of the most dynamic wineries of the area, probably a flagship winery of this place, Valle dell’Acate, whose name comes from this area, Valle dell’Acate of Dirillo, a small river and even the name of this South – Eastern town of Sicily, in the province of Ragusa.