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THE WINES OF CASTELLO DI VOLPAIA
THE WINES OF CASTELLO DI VOLPAIA
"By any measure, Volpaia is a company town. It’s just happens to be a company town in Chianti Classico, and the company — Castello di Volpaia — happens to make some of Italy’s best wines. "Oh, and Volpaia is tiny — roughly 30 ancient stone buildings crowning a hill, surrounded by vines and olive orchards. The lifeblood of the town is wine, olive oil, vinegar and the tourism that follows. "I haven’t been there yet. But last spring, at a trade event here in Denver, Federica Mascheroni Stianti took me there with her effortless prose. The daughter of Castello di Volpaia’s...
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20 Wines Under $20: Reds for Winter Moods and Foods
20 Wines Under $20: Reds for Winter Moods and Foods
"I’m not one to adhere rigidly to the idea of drinking seasonally: reds when it’s cold, whites and rosés when the weather heats up. This is textbook nonsense that makes it seem as if temperature is the only consideration in choosing a wine. "But this is winter, a time to hunker down. For many, that means seeking pleasure in long, slow cooking. "In Manhattan, where I live, the idea of a hearth may be fanciful, but the warmth of the oven or stove, with a bubbling pot of beans or a simmering stew, serves the crucial figurative function. "The sorts of deep, soulful flavors that...
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High Altitude Chianti: Federica Mascheroni Stiani of Castello di Volpaia
High Altitude Chianti: Federica Mascheroni Stiani of Castello di Volpaia
“Castello di Volpaia produces Chianti Classico of great elegance. This is due in part to the extremely high elevation of the vineyards as well as the thoughful organic, non-interventionist winemaking practices. Volpaia is one of the highest-elevation winery in the Chianti area at 1,300 to 2,130 feet. The winery sits at the top of a stunning 11th century fortified village on the Florenc-Siena border. Nearly the entire village is intimately involved in the production of wine and olive oil. “Raffaello Stianti, one of Italys top printers and bookbinders, purchased the estate in 1966 and gifted it to his daughter daughter,...
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Tuscan Splendor
Tuscan Splendor
"When you receive an incomparable wedding gift, such as a quaint, historic village situated in the Tuscan countryside, it comes with great responsibility. This is what Federica Mascheroni Stianti’s mother Giovannella got from her father the day she wed. She and her new husband Carlo had plans to move to Milan. Instead, the newlyweds embraced the extraordinary largesse – the village of Volpaia – that would eventually become the family estate and provide a one-of-a-kind tribute to Tuscan wine culture. "Set against the backdrop of Tuscany’s rolling hills, snowcapped mountains, dramatic cypress trees and miles of Tyrrhenian Sea coastline, the...
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OperaWine 2016 Showcases 100 Top Italian Wineries
OperaWine 2016 Showcases 100 Top Italian Wineries
"At Vinitaly, Italy’s largest wine fair, more than 4,000 producers will present their wines to thousands of trade members and consumers from April 10 to 13 in Verona, as the event celebrates its 50th anniversary. "OperaWine is a microcosm, or distillation, of Vinitaly, presenting 100 Italian wine producers selected by Wine Spectator for their high quality, historical significance and regional prominence. Taking place on April 9 this year, OperaWine kicks off the fair and has become a focal point for anyone interested in the country's wines. "'I believe OperaWine has become the highlight of Vinitaly and a great showcase for...
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The Good Food Hour: Wines of the Year 2015
The Good Food Hour: Wines of the Year 2015
The Good Food Hour, hosted by Steve Garner and John Ash, welcomes guest Tom Simoneau (The Wine Guy) to discuss his 2015 "Wines of the Year." During the show, Tom and Steve taste and comment on the winner for "Best Sparkling" — the Champagne Gosset NV Grande Réserve Brut (clip begins at minute 4:00) — and discuss Castello di Volpaia's 2013 Chianti Classico, Tom's "Best Alternative Red" (minute 34:20). Listen to the podcast here.
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Chianti’s Hidden Treasure
Chianti’s Hidden Treasure
"Volpaia is one of those seductive Tuscan places that tempts people into quitting their jobs and uprooting their lives. The hilltop town sits nearly 2,000 feet above sea level, looking over Chianti Classico, reachable only by a narrow road that climbs through sunbathed vines, olive trees and cypresses. A relic of the 12th century, the old village is home to fewer than 60 people, living behind walls that Siena's medieval soldiers found intimidating and modern visitors find charming. "On a sunny but cool morning, just a few tourists are walking on the old stone streets, soaking in the fresh air...
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Evolution in Chianti Classico: Gran Selezione and New Labeling Terms
Evolution in Chianti Classico: Gran Selezione and New Labeling Terms
For a three-century-old denomination, a lot has been going on in Chianti Classico lately. Much of the activity follows from a major scientific study known as Chianti Classico 2000, which spent 16 years (1987–2003) doing experiments in the vineyards to determine what “best practices” means in central Tuscany. That project led to significant advances in viticulture that continue to be implemented as vineyards are replanted. More recently, the consorzio has turned its attention to ways of getting the word out about the improvements in Chianti Classico wines. “The discussion has been going on for some years trying to figure out...
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Local Hero
Local Hero
“Tuscany has long been Sangiovese country, its hillsides and valleys offering a mix of elevations, exposures and microclimates for Italy’s most widely planted grape variety to thrive. Yet most of the top wines from recent vintages – particularly the back-to-back outstanding years of 2010 and 2011 – are not based on Sangiovese but made primarily from international varieties such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. These bottlings, known as super Tuscans, are grown both in the Tuscan heartland of Chianti Classico and Montalcino and the coastal areas of Bolgheri and Maremma, where it is too warm and low-lying to ensure top-quality...
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Hamlett: Castello di Volpaia
Hamlett: Castello di Volpaia
“Castello di Volpaia sits atop a hillside just north of Radda in Chianti. It's a dominating castle that anchors the remainder of this tiny walled village; a unique enclave that is more than simply a winery. The winery and the surrounding buildings actually comprise the small village of Volpaia; Population, about 50. “If you're not careful, you can drive past Volpaia without even realizing it's there. But the regret would catch up with you, because this winery devoted to fully organic farming is making some amazing Chianti Classico. “Volpaia's origins date back to the year 1172, but it wasn't until...
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