Wine Masterclass with Frescobaldi!
We held a wine masterclass with Stefano Benini and Alberto Orengia from Frescobaldi. In this session, they shared valuable insights about their wines, the winery, the wine region, and the country. Alberto also expertly guided us through each wine, explaining how the estate, climate, vinification, and aging all played a part in creating their distinctive tasting profiles.
A brief history of Frescobaldi.
Frescobaldi is a renowned Italian winemaking family with a rich heritage spanning seven centuries. Their legacy in Tuscany spans from the early 1300s, and they have not only produced exceptional wines but also played pivotal roles in various fields, from literature to art. Today, Frescobaldi remains a prominent name in the world of wine and continues to produce exceptional wines from their vineyards in the heart of Italy's iconic wine region.
It's wine-tasting time!
Our wine tasting began with Pomino Bianco (Vintage: 2021) from the Castello Pomino estate. Located 700 meters above sea level in the mountains, this unique setting imparts special qualities to the wine. Predominantly made from Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco, with complementary varieties, it underwent partial maturation in wooden barrels. Initial scents featured green fruit, citrus, and flintstone. On the palate, citrus and green fruit flavors took center stage, accompanied by a refreshing acidity.
Next, we explored Alìe Rose (Vintage: 2021) from the Tenuta Ammiraglia estate, a blend of Syrah and Vermentino. Displaying a beautiful pale pink color and exuding scents of passion fruit and floral notes, it delighted the palate with tropical fruit flavors like passion fruit, peach, and melon, balanced with moderate acidity and body.
Moving on to the Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva DOCG from Castello Nipozzano, a 2018 vintage primarily composed of Sangiovese grapes with complementary varieties. It matured for 24 months in oak barrels, resulting in a rich ruby color and an intriguing aroma blend of red and black berries, including black cherries and raspberries. Tasting revealed robust dark fruit flavors, cherries, and plums, complemented by subtle tobacco notes.
Our next Chianti was from Tenuta Perano, nestled in the heart of Chianti Classico in Gaiole. The Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG (Vintage 2018) was crafted from hand-picked Sangiovese and Merlot grapes, aged in oak barrels for 24 months. It displayed a vibrant yet deep ruby color and offered notes of red fruits with a hint of spiciness on the nose. Tasting brought forward flavors of red fruits like sour cherry, accompanied by a subtle leathery quality and pronounced spicy notes with a touch of oaky aromas.
Lastly, we savored Mormoreto, where Alberto shared an interesting tidbit that the name "Mormoreto" mimics the murmuring sound of the winds in the vineyard. This wine blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, and a touch of Petit Verdot. It matured for 24 months in a small bottle and an additional 6 months of aging. The 2017 Mormoreto had a beautiful clear and deep ruby red color, with an aroma filled with blackberry and black plum notes. On the palate, it featured jammy black fruits, plum, a hint of vanilla, and a touch of oakiness.
When we asked around, everyone loved this wine but mentioned that keeping it for a few more years would be great. We can't wait to revisit it in the near future!
Let's recap what was served during the wine tasting.
- Pomino Bianco
- Alie Rose de Ammiraglia
- Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva
- Tenuta Perano Chianti Classico Riserva
- Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino
- Nipozzano Mormoreto
In short, these are simply notes from a newcomer to the world of wine. Nonetheless, it was a fantastic experience to gain knowledge from the experts.
