Avignonesi Desiderio Merlot 2021

Desiderio is Avignonesi's emblematic red wine, named after a bull that lived more than a century ago on the Capezzine farm and helped establish the Chianina breed. This Merlot comes not from Montepulciano but from Cortona, in Tuscany's Val di Chiana, where the clay soils rich in minerals give the grape warmth and depth. In 2021, an early spring, April frosts and a mild summer reduced yields without harming quality.

The vineyard is farmed biodynamically, like the whole estate. The grapes are harvested by hand and then fermented with the estate's native yeasts, using the pied de cuve method. Maceration lasts twenty-five to thirty days in stainless-steel tanks, with daily pump-overs to gain concentration without over-extraction. The wine is then aged for eighteen months in French oak barriques, which refine its texture and structure.

This wine reveals notes of cherry jam, blackberry, blueberry, plum, wisteria, violet, black tea and liquorice. The bouquet, of almost explosive breadth, combines ripe black fruit, flowers and infused touches, lifted by pepper on the retronasal finish. The palate, dark and dense, envelops with warmth before a juicy acidity tightens it; the tight, lively tannins lead to a deep, spicy 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!