Ruffino – 7 historic vintages of Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale

(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.

Tommasi De Buris, the “Super Amarone”, luxury icon of Made in Italy

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 and Vigna Barbagalli: Etna’s sustainable extreme flavour

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.

Fontodi, from the estate Vigna del Sorbo to Chianti Classico golden heart

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.

Damilano Barolo Riserva Cannubi “1752”, the essence of a single vineyard wine, aged seven years

Tasting a Barolo is always a great experience because this red nectar is one of the greatest wines in Italy (and in the world). But this Barolo is something outstanding. I love talking about a Riserva, a real Cru (single vineyard) from the hill Cannubi, one of the best places for growing the grape Nebbiolo, that, in this place, shows incredible elegance and depth. In this area, the soil is made up of chalks and clay, with high percentage of limestone and sand.

Valle dell’Acate – “Iri da Iri”, the Cru of Cerasuolo di Vittoria that missed

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. 

Altemasi Graal Riserva. From the region Trentino, a winning example of cooperation!

There are several example of cooperation in Italy, in agriculture, but above all in the wine business. More than ever “there is strength in numbers”. And the wine, I am talking about, that amused me is a sparkling one, produced by a cooperative, Cavit Trento, i.e. Cantina Viticoltori del Trentino, a really big one, involving about 4500 vinegrowers, from 10 cooperatives in Trentino, in the North East of Italy.

Marisa Cuomo – Furore Fiorduva, an extreme white wine that smells of sea and rock

It is told so often about wines, referred as “terroir expression”. I think I have definitely found a wine, really terroir expression and obviously I have tasted it. It is an extraordinary white wine, from extreme vineyards on the Amalfi Coast, in Campania, between Naples and Salerno: this is Furore Fiorduva by Marisa Cuomo. Before telling you more about the incredible tasting notes of this white wine, let me tell you more about it.Who’s the winemaker? Where is it from? What about the vine’s training system? And why is Fiorduva an “extreme wine”? Here we go, with all the replies. 

Amazing Fiano experience by Maura Sarno from Irpina Land in Southern Italy

TheWineReporter go back to Campania, in Southern Italy, to talk about a really rampant woman winegrower. She’s Maura Sarno, currently one of the most important names among the Irpinia producers, in the Region hinterland. Her motto was for a long time: “A single land, a single vineyard, a single wine produced: the Fiano di Avellino DOCG”. Surely, this enthusiastic and positive woman is the real key to the success of her own winery, called Tenuta Sarno 1860.