San Lorenzo 2019

In the heart of Chianti Classico, the Castello di Ama estate stretches across the hills of Gaiole in Chianti, in Tuscany, some twenty kilometres north-east of Siena. The vines of the San Lorenzo cuvée occupy high-altitude plots, on soils mixing galestro, alberese and stony clays, typical of this historic area. Surrounded by woods and olive groves, the well-ventilated slopes enjoy a temperate continental climate with wide temperature swings, favouring slow, complete ripening of the grapes and a precise expression of the terroir.

The grapes are harvested by hand, carefully sorted and then destemmed before alcoholic fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, with maceration on the skins to extract colour and structure. Malolactic fermentation also takes place in tank, then the wine is transferred to oak barriques, mostly French, for extended ageing aimed at refining the tannins and developing aromatic complexity, before the final blend and bottling at the estate.

This wine reveals notes of black cherry, plum and small red fruits, complemented by floral touches of violet and dried rose, along with spicy nuances of pepper, liquorice and clove. Oaky accents of cedar, Virginia tobacco and vanilla blend into a slightly mineral backbone. The palate shows an ample, juicy texture, carried by lively acidity, firm yet polished tannins and a long, flavoursome, elegantly structured finish.

Ah, Italy, what a beautiful, hedonistic country, the land of la dolce vita, but how difficult it is to understand its wine industry! The key to understanding the appellation system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous nation, as each region has its own appellation system. Italy can offer wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, bottles brimming with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless, characterless wines sold under their most commercially useful and prestigious name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco, and many others... But let's talk a little history. Viticulture in Italy dates back to antiquity and originated in Greece. The Etruscans are said to have introduced the vine, and Greek immigrants improved and modified the grape varieties, subsequently calling the country "Oenotria": the land of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life, and certain regions already distinguished themselves by the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible mark of their conquest. Today, Italy is the world's largest wine producer, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic zones. The northern mountains have a rather harsh mountain climate. The plains of the "central boot" are characterized by a continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the southern part of the Italian boot, the Mediterranean climate prevails, with very hot and dry summers, not forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In short, Italy produces a wide variety of wines thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originated in its own lands. It is a country as complex as its wines, which deserve to be explored!