Events / Tastings

L'Eccellenza di Toscana 2011 at Villa Castelletti, Signa

While austerity programs in many European countries are currently proving to the wrong course or action for economic recovery, the Tuscan wine world may want to start thinking about some austerity programs of their own - especially when it comes to the character of their wines.

Just as a credit glut preceded the current economic crisis, it seems that all the investment in the wine making industry in Tuscany in the last decade (new vineyards, better machinery, advancement in scientific analysis, etc.) may have sowed the seeds for a similar problem - too much excellent wine (or the capacity to produce a lot of excellent wine) but much of it too much the same. Some austerity in the process and on the palate would perhaps make an event like this, celebrating the best of the region, a bit more interesting and diverse.

Far too many of these wines, especially the IGTs and those made with French Varietals (funny how people don't seem to say "Super Tuscan" so much lately) suffered from the same type of profile: fruit forward (and too much of it), loaded middle, and a disappearing act on the finish. They were in a word - boring. Delicious? Many of them. Drinkable? Of course. These are all award winning wines. But as a group they were lacking - lacking austerity, mystery, curiosity, staying power. It really does seem to be an effort on everyone's part of trying to make the "same" wine - a very drinkable, ready when opened, "easy" wine. Is this the victory of the 90 + points or bust culture? I hope not - but maybe with todays economic conditions (i.e. the difficulty of selling) some producers will start to experiment and find that different can be better too, and perhaps some of these fine wines will take off in new and more exciting directions.

Sorry for the late notice - this event is tomorrow! I have been meaning to post about it forever...

Typically a fantastic tasting with wines of a very high level, it was held at the Grand Hotel Winter Garden in Piazza Ognissanti for many years until the hotel was recently updated to the St. Regis and that space became a lounge/restaurant. Last year I think it was at the Four Seasons Florence, but this year it is outside of Florence in Signa.

Here is the vineyard/producer list (PDF! - Italians love their PDF files still...).

Wine Town Firenze is this weekend, taking place in multiple venues in the center of Florence. Their website is a little weak, but this PDF has almost everything you need to know. For a list of producers/vineyards/consorzio represented, see this page. There is a lot of music and other events happening also.

One of the more interesting aspect of this event is that many of the tasting venues are in palazzos that you would more than likely never visit. Below is where you will find the wine:

We're back in Florence from an extended trip to the U.S. and eager to talk about wine!

Firstly, FWM will be changing our focus and mission. Due to the persistent global economic slowdown, the absolute glut of wine in the U.S. market, and the need to focus on other existing business, our own efforts to import and sell wine on the Internet are now on hold. We were very close and I believe the model could work with just a little tweaking and investment, but for us at this time it is best put on hold.

That means that the focus of FWM will now be on news, events, tastings, and blogging about Italian Wine, with a focus on the Tuscan region.

I am also available to consult with producers on Direct To Consumer marketing, and to assist in online branding, e-commerce initiatives, and social networking. If you want to sell direct from your vineyard in Italy, send me a message. Even if you already have a website, I can provide a review and consulting to improve your efforts.

This weekend was the annual wine tasting in Greve, and next weekend is our favorite intimate event of September, Vino al Vino in Panzano.

And coming near the end of the month is the Florence Wine Town event - hope to see you there!

The Florence Wine Event has been moved up to June this year (3,4 and 5). Click the image for more information (Italian only!). The event is in the courtyard of the Palazzo Pitti again, like last year:

So we are here at the event - I posted a couple of quick pictures to Twitter - Cosimo of Fattoria Rignana and Francesco of Casa al Vento. Unfortunately the press access that I thought I was attending was only this morning - so instead of being able to sit here and taste wines brought to my by sommeliers and blog about them, I will have to walk around the hall. All that means is I won't be writing as much as I thought.

What I do have with me is a glass of the 2008 Rignana Chianti Classico - this is going to be our first wine in America. I just spoke with Cosimo, and once I send him the labels it shouldn't be long before the wine ships to California.

The wine is drinking very nicely now and has been in the bottle since around March 2010. It is naturally fermented and aged in oak, and while it has a strong tannic and acidic structure it is also full of dark cherry and red fruits on the front end with nice spice notes on the mid palate. It has been one of my favorite Chianti Classicos since I first tasted it, and it seems to be getting better with each vintage. It is very supple with a bright finish and just goes wonderful with roast pork, strong cheeses, and other grilled meats, savory, and fatty dishes. It almost makes you want to eat something off the grill!

This Sunday, December 5th, is the annual L'eccellenza di Toscana wine tasting by AIS. This event was historically held at the Grand Hotel in Piazza Ognissanti which is currently being renovated, so this year the venue is the new Four Seasons hotel (which is great as I have yet to see the hotel from the inside). I have only been to this event once and it was one of the most memorable tastings I have ever attended in Italy or anywhere. Over 300 producers, and only the best of Tuscany. Highly recommended if you are in Florence this Sunday. 15€ at the door for non AIS members. There is also an optional dinner afterward (see their site for details).

The fall tasting program gets underway again on September 30th:

Cari Amici .... si riparte per la nuova stagione delle Degustazioni dell'Alessi ...  ci saranno delle "new entry" ma anche delle fattorie conosciute con nuove annate !!! 

Il primo incontro lo faremo 

GIOVEDI' 30 SETTEMBRE

dalle ore 5 pm alle ore 7 pm
con ....

Azienda Vinicola Bindella

 
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano '07
Uvaggio Sangiovese 85 %,
vitigni complementari 15 %
Produzione 60 - 70 q/ha
Vinificazione in tini di acciaio a temperatura controllata tra 28 e 30 ° C,
macerazione bucce 10 - 15 giorni
Maturazione 18 mesi in legno
Affinamento in bottiglia 6 mesi
Caratteristiche organolettiche ed abbinamenti consigliati
elegante al naso, strutturato al gusto:
un vino che accompagna carni rosse, selvaggina e formaggi stagionati

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano riserva I Quadri '06
Uvaggio Sangiovese 85 %,
vitigni complementari 15 %
Produzione 60 - 70 q/ha
Vinificazione in tini di acciaio a temperatura controllata tra 28 e 30 ° C,
macerazione bucce 15 - 18 giorni
Maturazione 24 mesi in legno
Affinamento in bottiglia 12 mesi
Caratteristiche organolettiche ed abbinamenti consigliati
bilanciato e di notevole struttura,
la sua souplesse richiede carne e ... buona compagnia!
 
 
Ricordatevi che le degustazioni vengono fatte in cantina Alessi!!! ... non al Wine Bar !!!

... il primo giovedi' di ottobre è il 7 ... e ci sara'..... non ve lo dico! :-)

ENOTECA ALESSI
via delle oche 27/29/31r
tel e fax +39 055 214966
www.enotecaalessi.it
info@enotecaalessi.it

One of the seasons biggest tasting events starts today and runs through Sunday in Greve in Chianti. Formerly known as the "Rassegna" this year for the 40th anniversary the event has been renamed the "Expo del Chianti Classico".

Whatever it is called, it is a great reason to get into the countryside and try some Chianti Classico. There are dozens of top producers, as well as side events, and things to eat of course. I think the tickets are 10 euro, and you get 7 tastes (you get a glass to keep).

This year I am looking forward to seeing my friend Fabrizio and trying the wines of Castello di Monterinaldi.

Where: Piazza Matteotti Greve in Chianti
When: September 9 (5PM to 9PM), 10 (11AM to 9PM), 11 (11AM to 7PM) & 12 (11AM to 9PM)

This week, starting tomorrow - what sounds like a great event - at the Villa Bardini:

The Villa Bardini is here - and it looks like this event officially is at the restaurant MoBa, at Costa San Giorgio 4/a. On the 20th, 21st, and 22nd of July, from 5:30 to 10:00. It seems like it is €10 to enter, plus €15 to taste - so a total of €25 if you want to drink.

Website: http://www.vinoingiardino.it

The producer list is strong:

Alepa Altesino Argentiera Barone Pizzini Bersi Serlini Castellare Castell'in Villa Castello di Fonterutoli Castiglion del Bosco Coltibuono Cupano Corzano e Paterno D'Ambra Eredi Fuligni Felsina Fontodi Guido Berlucchi I Favati Il Borro Il Mosnel Jermann Joaquin La Massa Le Corti Le Pupille Le vigne di Zamò Lis Neris Livio Felluga Lo Sparviere Marco Felluga Mastroberardino Mirabella Monte Rossa Montevertine Monzio Compagnoni Moris Farms OT - Oliviero Toscani Paternoster Rocca di Frassinello Rocca di Montegrossi Ronco delle Betulle Russiz Superiore Salvatore Molettieri San Giusto a Rentennano Sassotondo Schiopetto Tenuta Marsiliana Tenute Folonari Torreggiani Venica & Venica Vestini Campagnano Vie di Romans Villa Russiz