Chianti Rufina 2019

Another magnificent wine from Paolo Masi , known throughout the region for his high quality wines. The Chianti Rufina area has a very old reputation for quality because it extends over hills to the east of Florence. The vines can be quite high in terms of altitude which gives a cooler microclimate at night allowing the grapes to ripen more slowly. They are planted on a terroir made up of limestone marl which is locally called “galestro”. The harvest is manual and macerated for around 20 days in open vats. Some of the wines are aged in 2nd and 3rd use oak barrels for 12 months . This deep wine reveals aromas of black fruits , violet , cherry , wild strawberries , blond tobacco , blackberry, cloves , smoky notes and graphite . On the palate, the wine is dense, with soft tannins, a complex aromatic range and a fresh and spicy length.

Ah Italy, what a beautiful hedonistic country, people of the Dolce Vita, but what difficulty in understanding its wine organization! The key to understanding the naming system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous country because each region has its own naming system. Italy can, however, give wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, as well as bottles filled with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless and characterless wines which are sold under their most useful and commercially reputable name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco and many others... But let's talk a little history, viticulture in Italy dates back to ancient times and it originated in Greece. The Etruscans would have planted vines and Greek immigrants would have improved and modified the grape varieties who subsequently called this country "Oenotria": the country of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life and certain regions already stood out for the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible testimony to their invasion. Today Italy is the largest wine producer in the world, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic areas. The northern mountains experience a fairly harsh mountain climate. The “middle of the boot” plain is the domain of the continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the "southern part of the Italian boot" the Mediterranean climate reigns with very hot and very dry summers without forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In summary, Italy produces wines of great variety thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originate from their lands. It is a country just as complex as its wines which deserve to be explored!