Tuscany: Art, History & Wine

Tuscany was first inhabited by the Etruscans. Most of our knowledge of their civilization is derived from archeological findings in Tuscany and across the Apennines in neighboring Emilia-Romagna. In the late Middle Ages and throughout the Renaissance, Tuscany was a center for the arts and of learning. Notable schools of architecture, sculpture and painting developed from the 11th century in many cities (particularly Florence, Pisa, Siena, and Arezzo). Under the Medici, the ruling family of Florence, Tuscany became a grand duchy in 1569, and so a powerful political and economic force in addition to being one of the main intellectual and artistic centers in Europe at the time. A visitor needs only to stroll the streets of Florence today from ancient palace to cathedral, wander across the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) that straddles the Arno River, or visit any of the ancient towns such as San Gimignano to be overwhelmed by the region’s glorious past.

Tuscany’s winemaking industry counts on one of the most noble and ancient traditions that predates the universally known Chianti wine that often springs to mind when this region is discussed. Long before the first Etruscans made their appearance, wild vines grew in abundance all over the sunny rolling hills of Tuscany. The Etruscans are believed to have domesticated and bred the forbearers of such grapes as Sangiovese and Lambrusco from those early feral grapes. The hilly soil and the weather conditions of Tuscany are ideal for grape growing and, with the passing centuries, the numerous types of grapes grown gave rise to some rare and much loved varieties.

Modernly, the most grown variety is the noble Sangiovese, which is often combined with small amounts of locally grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo and other grapes into wonderful blends such as the Brunello di Montalcino, Morellino di Scansano, Carmignano and, of course, the signature Tuscan wines, the Chianti and Chianti Classico, which probably are the best known Italian wines in the world. The local production includes a few distinguishable whites, the most notable among them being, Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

The Mocali estate, acquired by the Ciacci family (distant relations to Ciacci Piccolomini) in the 1950s, is a setting of natural Tuscan beauty where vineyards and olive groves alternate with oak and pine forests. This harmony of man and nature comes through in the delicious, ripe and balanced wines produced here, available at prices that are incredibly low when compared to those of the more established producers of Montalcino.

Situated to the southwest of Montalcino at an altitude of 300-350 meters above sea-level on the slopes facing Castiglione del Bosco. Over half of the estate is covered by a vegetation characteristic to the hill on which Montalcino stands, the vineyards and olive groves alternate with a landscape of woodland of ilex, oak and arbutus. The soil is rendered highly mineral; salt owing to the presence of marl and limestone.

Rosso di Montalcino D.O.C.

Medium bodied, elegant and earthy with refined tannins and admirable structure. Delicate, cherry-infused finish.

Lovely tobacco, tar, leather and dried cherry aromas and flavors which is sweet and tannic, the two components playing off each other through the finish.

Brunello di Montalcino Riserva D.O.C.G.

The Rivetti family story begins in the 1890s, when Giovanni Rivetti, grandfather of the three Rivetti brothers, Carlo, Bruno and Giorgio, left Piedmont for Argentina. Like many Italians of that time, he dreamed of returning rich and a powerful man, perhaps even one day able to make great wines in his homeland. He never did, though his son, Giuseppe (nicknamed Pin) did. Pin married Lidia, and in 1977 the family took up residence at LA SPINETTA (top of the hill) in Castagnole Lanze.

In 2001 LA SPINETTA expanded over the borders of Piedmont and acquired 65 hectares of vineyards in Tuscany, between Pisa and Volterra, to make three different 100% Sangiovese wines, with the belief of Sangiovese being the true ambassador of the Tuscan terrain. Following the completion of the second winery, Campè in Barolo, and the Tuscan winery, Casanova in 2007, they now celebrate over 30 years of wine production with a diverse range covering many of the top denominations and wine styles of Italy.

“Il Vermentino di Casanova”, Toscana I.G.T.

Rosato “Il Rosè di Casanova”, Toscana I.G.T.

Rosé Wine

750ml

Sangiovese “Il Nero di Casanova”, Toscana I.G.T.

Chianti Torrigiani D.O.C.G.

Sangiovese/Cannaiolo/Merlot “Torre di Ciardo”, Toscana, I.G.T.

It brings an exceptional structure characterised by soft tannins well mixed with wood.

The taste is elegant and charactrised by soft tannins that owe their origin to a noble and full blending.

Podere San Cristoforo, a young wine estate located in Maremma in Tuscany, is a producer of quality wines that get their character from the constant caress of breezes that blow in from the Tyrrhenian Sea. Thanks to this the grapes are healthy and there is moderation of the high summer temperatures. Thus this “wind” is a fundamental factor in the optimum ripening of the grapes and in the complete development of their aromatic substances. The soil is also of vital importance: it is made up of Aeolian deposits of medium texture, originating from the foliation of the mineral-bearing hills of Gavorrano, giving a stony terrain with a high clay content.

The suitability of the location is demonstated in the quality of the wines and as such producer Podere San Cristoforo, founded by owner and winemaker Lorenzo Zonin, is quickly becoming an exciting estate to watch.

Trebbiano/Vermentino “Luminoso”, Maremma Toscana I.G.T.

The Sangiovese attained optimum maturation and the Petit Verdot reached a new level of excellence.

Sangiovese “Amaranto”, Maremma Toscana I.G.T.

The Sangiovese attained optimum maturation and the Petit Verdot reached a new level of excellence.

Petit Verdot “San Cristoforo”, Toscana I.G.T.

Ghizzano is a small hillside village about 200 metres above sea level, located on the Tuscan coast, 40 km from Livorno and 40 km south of Pisa. The winery and olive mill are situated around the tower built by the Venerosi Pesciolini family in 1370. They are situated in the area known as Colline Pisane, which comprises a range of hills southeast of Pisa.

None of these gently rolling hills exceeds an altitude of 200 metres: the landscape is “soft” and the climate is mild, mitigated as it is by sea winds, without extreme temperatures and with no great risk of spring frosts. The soil is a very interesting mixture. The area was once covered by the sea and the sandy-limy-clay soil of Pliocene origin is still very rich in fossil shells.

Sangiovese/Merlot “Il Ghizzano”, Toscana I.G.T.

Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot “Nambrot”, Toscana I.G.T.

Vin Santo del Chianti D.O.C. “San Germano” (Demi)

Dessert Wine

750ml