The first lot is 4 bottles, 2015 to 2018, of Montevertine "Le Pergole Torte". This is probably my favorite wine in the world and it is hard to let it go, but recent medical issues have forced me to nearly stop being able to enjoy wine.

The second is a 4 bottle lot of "Flaccianello della Pieve", 2018 to 2020. This is a huge, dense wine that is very different from the above but is a real stunner. If you know the style you know what I mean!

It's hard to see them go after collecting them for so many years - but I hope they find a good home!

I focussed on wines from the Alto Adige/Sudtirol region, especially those of the three producers below. I have had several of these already. I am crazy about Unterortl - the wines are fantastic, the prices are fair, and they use screw caps (!). That is a place I would really like to visit one day.

The wines of Cantina Terlan are fairly well known and available in the United States, while Kellerei is maybe not as well known but still available in some parts of the country. All of these producers are highly recommended and usually offer great price to quality.

• Azienda Agricola Unterortl
• Cantina Terlan
• Andrianer Kellerei

This tasting was meant for trade only in prior years, but the online registration seems to be open to "wine lovers" now, which is great news. This year the event runs from February 17th to 18th, and as usual is in the fantastic event space of the Stazione Leopolda in Florence.

There aren't many events where you can meet the owners and wine makers of some of the most famous vineyards in the world - if you have a chance don't miss it!

From the consorzio:

Immerse yourself in the world of the Black Rooster on February 17th and 18th at the Stazione Leopolda in Florence.

On February 18th, the event opens its doors to the public, offering a unique opportunity to meet 218 Chianti Classico producers. Enjoy guided tours among the wineries and in-depth sessions tailored for enthusiasts (registration required; link available soon).

Ticket prices:
€30
€15 for members of wine associations (AIES, AIS, ARS, ASPI, ASSOSOMMELIER, ENOCLUB SIENA, FISAR, FIS, ONAV, SLOW FOOD) and university students.

Don't miss this extraordinary chance to savor the new Chianti Classico vintages in a unique setting!

Opening hours:
Public access: February 18th, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (last entry at 6:00 PM).

For assistance:
Available Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM / 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
+39 339 1230614

Here are a couple of our friends from over the years representing their properties:

The 2020 Vintage

Despite a global pandemic turning the world upside down, the 2020's weather created glorious wines with graceful structure. They're elegant, fresh and very approachable. The wines are not jammy and they offer immense pleasure drinking them now as young wines. Yet, they still have the structure to improve over the next 10-12 years.

The 6 Brunellos we've selected are some of our favorites and we can have them to you in time to still enjoy this winter!

In addition to the 6 Brunellos selections we're offering, we've selected 6 Rosso di Montalcino wines which are more for everyday drinking. The vintages on offer are 2022 and 2023 (depending on producer). They're structured enough to be paired with a Friday-night steak dinner, but priced low enough for a little guilt free drinking on a Tuesday night.

The wines on offer are:

Brunello di Montalcino:

Le Chiuse - Brunello 2020 - The nose: Elegant red berry fruit notes with balsamic and mineral notes. The palate: As always Le Chiuse shines with structured elegance! Clean, soft tannins, with a long finish. Pairing: Enjoyable now, but this one still can wait. If young, the wine needs important and structured meals. Once a year or so passes though, this wine can be enjoyed in so many ways...

Verbena - Brunello 2020 - The nose: Immediately opens to rich fruit and floral with softer spice notes of vanilla and balsamic. The palate: It's a fresh and clean wine, which leaves you wanting more. Pairing: Always one of our favorites to drink younger, and best with succulent meats or aged cheeses.

Capanna - Brunello 2020 - The nose: loaded with bright fruit and balsamic notes. The palate: Very clean, very bright, and one more powerful from this vintage. Pairing: As with all of these wines, best pair while young is rich and succulent meat dishes, but as it ages, you'll really want to enjoy it by itself.

Fattoi - Brunello 2020 - The nose: Lots of bright and fragrant fruit, with earthy tones and soft spice. The palate: Very fresh on the palate, young tannins, but earthy and very drinkable. Pairing: Like the others, best with richer courses (prime rib or aged cheese) or to wait a year or two more.

Chiusa Grossa - Brunello 2020 - The nose: Chiusa Grossa is fast becoming one of our favorites. Clean fruit, complementary spice. The palate: Young but so enjoyable now. Along with Capanna and Le Chiuse, this wine will show best with a little more time in the bottle. Pairing: Best if you pair with succulent meats or aged cheese.

Innocenti - Brunello 2020 - The nose: Softer cherry and plum with sweet, but subtle spice. The palate: Easy and drinkable at first, like Verbena, this one leaves you wanting more. Pairing: Best if you pair with succulent meats or aged cheeses, but also goes with some well prepared white meats.

Rosso di Montalcino:

• Le Chiuse - Rosso di Montalcino 2023
• Verbena - Rosso di Montalcino 2022
• Capanna - Rosso di Montalcino 2022
• Fattoi - Rosso di Montalcino 2023
• Chiusa Grossa - Rosso di Montalcino 2022
• Innocenti - Rosso di Montalcino 2023

Email Todd right away if you are interested and he will get back to you with pricing and shipping details - and tell him Anthony sent you!

Tuscany has been hard hit by COVID-19, as has all of Italy, Europe, and the world - but this is a chance to help support a great producer, family, friends, and bring a little Tuscan cheer into your home for this holiday season.

The offers - contact them directly to place your order:

HOTEL +39 0577.749068 | info@borgocasaalvento.com
CANTINA +39 0577.749485 | vino@borgocasaalvento.com
whatsapp +39 3312897359

Offerta Natale Selezione

Offerta Natale Olio

Offerta Natale Fata (Merlot)

One of the locations is the Barthel showroom on via Serragli:

Here is the full schedule in Italian:

"Almost everybody uses [modern] technology, but they want to be seen as on the artisanal side," Smith says. "That's why we all 'do the minimum,' whatever the hell that is. It's an illusion, and we've worked very hard to create it. I'm offering an alternative that we just be straight with people."

Smith's new book, "Postmodern Winemaking," is an occasionally dense text studded with moments of poetry. He can go deeply into the molecular changes in wine and the methods that cause them. And his embrace of wines is inclusive; on the phone, he bristles at the idea that wines with less oak flavor could be considered "better."

Expò del Chianti Classico from 20inchianti.com on Vimeo.