Castello di Volpaia Coltassala Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2021

Nestled in the hills of Chianti Classico, Castello di Volpaia overlooks the Tuscan landscape from its ancient fortified hamlet north of Radda in Chianti. Coltassala's vines are planted on well-exposed slopes at a high altitude that imparts freshness and elegance to the grapes. The predominantly stony and poor soils force the vines to draw their strength from deep within, fostering complexity. This quintessential Tuscan setting, a tapestry of forests, olive groves, and vineyards, creates an ideal environment to express the noble character of Sangiovese.

The harvest for the Coltassala Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2021 is carried out by hand, with careful selection of the grape bunches. After destemming and crushing, alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with maceration on the skins to extract color and tannins. Malolactic fermentation is completed in tanks, and the wine is then aged primarily in oak barrels, supplemented by a period in large casks, before further aging in the bottle to perfect its balance and complexity.

This wine reveals notes of ripe black cherry , crisp red berries , and plum , supported by floral touches of violet and dried flowers . Spicy nuances of pepper and licorice mingle with elegant oak of cedar and mild tobacco . The palate is full-bodied, driven by fresh acidity , fine yet firm tannins , and a long, structured, and flavorful finish that promises excellent aging potential.

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!