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OFFER FOR THIS AUTUMN: THE QUEEN, BRUNELLO RISERVA 2016

After the summer months spent with fresh and light wines, the time has come to move on to more full-bodied nectars. Brunello Riserva 2016 is the perfect wine for Thanksgiving holidays!

Brunello-Riserva-2016-and-the-volume-cantine-a-fumetti-comic-book-cellars

This wine is suitable for long aging and celebrations of the coming years. The best food pairings are cheeses (aged Tuscan pecorino, spicy gorgonzola, Parmigiano Reggiano) and with dishes of international cuisine, always based on meat or with structured sauces.

Sensational territorial combinations can be Pici with Sausage and Mushroom sauce, Wild Boar Scottiglia with Polenta, Duck Breast in Brunello sauce. But why not also try the combination of the Riserva with a Goulash, or with the Thanksgiving Turkey with Gravy or with a Canadian Tourtière.

6 bottles of 0,75lt of Brunello di MontalcinoRiserva 2016

Plus

1 volume “Cantine a fumetti” bilingual publication by Scuola Internazionale di Comics.

INTERNATIONAL WINE CRITICS JUDGE OUR RISERVA 2016:

95+ Wine Advocate by Robert Parker
Silky and refined, it also shows the power and intensity that characterize the climate of this classic vintage. The tannins of the wine, the freshness, the flavour of the fruit, rich and harmonious, ensure that no element dominates the other. There is a crunchiness or a tension on the finish that underlines the quality of the Sangiovese of this vintage.
94 Vinous – Antonio Galloni
93 Wine Spectator
92 James Suckling
90 Wine Enthusiast

26 August 2022

OFFER: FOR SMALL AND LARGE PARTIES, THE PERFECT WINE FOR A GIFT OR FOR ANY KIND OF DINNER

Exceptionally for the members of the Donatella Club, Rosso di Montalcino 2020, a fresh wine for the summer: young, light and lively, with silky tannins that conquer all tables, even those on the beach.

Rosso-di-Montalcino-DOC-2020

Enough with the nicknames “Baby Brunello” and “Brunello’s younger brother”. Rosso di Montalcino is a contemporary wine, with its own identity and which is much loved by consumers. The first to believe in the potential of this denomination are the producers who belong to the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino and who have dedicated a “Red Montalcino” Trendy and cool event to this wine. In Montalcino there are 510 hectares of Rosso against the 2,100 of Brunello, illustrating a singular situation in the Italian wine scene where TOP wines usually have the tip of the production pyramid. So here is the trendiest and coolest wine of Montalcino, the one that excites young wine lovers.

6 bottles 0.75lt of Rosso di Montalcino 2020 BIO

3 Magnum bottles 1,5lt of Rosso di Montalcino 2020 BIO

18 August 2022

Women, Brunello and frontline joirnalists

Elena Testi, Aldo Fiordelli and Chiara Beghelli win the Casato Prime Donne 2022 Award which restarts transforming itself into an incubator for young local talents

Aldo-Fiordelli-Corriere-Fiorentino-Casato-Prime-Donne-2022-Award’s winner

After two years of Covid stop, the Casato Prime Donne Award returns with the awarding ceremony that will take place on Saturday 17 September in Montalcino and proposes a very topical female character: the young journalist sent to the front line, Elena Testi. Together with her, two journalists who contributed to the divulging of Montalcino and its wines: Chiara Beghelli for the podcast in “Il Sole 24 Ore” and Aldo Fiordelli for numerous pieces published in the “Corriere Fiorentino”.

THE CASATO PRIME DONNE AWARD AND THE 2022 NOVELTIES

Chiara-Beghelli-Il-Sole-24-Ore-Casato-Prime-Donne-2022-Award’s winner

Over the years the Casato Prime Donne Award, funded by the Montalcino winery of the same name, and the first in Italy to have an entirely female staff, has contributed to the affirmation of the new role and new contribution of women to society and the world of work. In the past it has been awarded to personalities of science such as the virologist Ilaria Capua or the astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, sportswomen like the soccer player Sara Gama, exponents of culture and champions of human rights.

12 August 2022

SUSTAINABILITY IN WINE

Many wineries are committed to sustainability but few are capable of communicating it because they make ethical choices out of conviction and not out of marketing

Sustainability in wine : more real but less communicated – Fattoria del Colle – Tuscany

The situation is reversed but resembles that of Giulio Cesare’s wife, Pompea when her lover, Claudius, entered their home during the celebrations in honour of the goddess Bona. In the divorce process Cesare made no mention of the fact and when asked for a reason he replied that his wife should not even be touched by the suspicion.

Which meant that it was not enough that she was honest but she also had to appear honest.

SUSTAINABILITY IN WINE IS REAL BUT LESS COMMUNICATED

As regards to sustainability in wine, the reverse is true. As WineNews rightly titled << Sustainability in wine in Italy: many do it, fewer communicate it well >>.

4 August 2022

in Farm experiences

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini

FATTORIA DEL COLLE A TREASURE CHEST OF VALUES TO PRESERVE

Tradition, history, nature, craftsmanship … Fattoria del Colle in the most panoramic and intact Tuscan countryside is dedicated to the preservation of these values

Orcia DOC Winery Fattoria del Colle

As some people may already know, I am an art historian who has become a grape grower. For this reason I take the liberty of writing a little note on the concept of conservation and restoration. It is a very ancient practice but until the mid-twentieth century the works of art – especially paintings and architecture – were integrated with ruined parts and “updated” with respect to the fashion. In other words, they were “embellished” but substantially falsified. Cesare Brandi was the father of modern restoration that must not << commit an artistic forgery or a historical forgery, and without erasing all traces of the passage of the work of art over time >> in other words, conservation must safeguard the integrity of the works.

22 July 2022

Feminine Grape varieties and male wines by Daniele Cernilli

It’s a game but up to a certain point: the vine, the vineyard, the grape, the rooted vine are feminine nouns in Italian but the word vino (wine) is male like most of the appellations

Vigneto Glera-per-il-Prosecco

Today 55% of regular Italian wine consumers are women. The fairer sex is the majority among those who book visits to wineries …. but wine has a masculine connotation because, for 8,000 years it has been produced and drunk by men.
Daniele Cernilli- Doctor Wine with the cultured irony that distinguishes him starts from this point for a semi-serious but very intriguing reasoning << Grammar sometimes plays bad jokes. We are used to thinking of wine as something masculine, “the” Barolo, “the” Brunello, “the” Taurasi, but there are vines and wines declined in the feminine and who knows this might also coincide with their characteristics … >>

FEMALE VINES AND MALE WINES A GENDER INTRIC THAT MIGHT REVEAL SOMETHING

The “gender” examination of the appellations, for me, starts from the decidedly female Doc Orcia because << the most beautiful wine in the world >> is born on hills with sinuous profiles. These are the sexiest and most similar views to a woman’s body that Tuscany and perhaps Italy possesses.

7 July 2022

in Characters and places

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini

See, Feel, Taste Val d’Orcia

“See, feel and taste the Val d’Orcia” beautiful book by Anastasia Kellermann, American-Dutch debut writer with a Tuscan heart

Anastasia-Kellermann-shows-the-cover-of-her-book-See-Feel-Taste-Val-d’Orcia

Presented at the Pieve di Vitaleta between Pienza and San Quirico d’Orcia, the book by Anastasia Kellermann takes us into her “Tuscan dream” made of flavours and people, fairy-tale places and breath-taking sunsets in what seems to be a land blessed by God for its mysterious harmony between excellence and simplicity, nature and art, lifestyle and work.

VAL D’ORCIA SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF A DUTCH AMERICAN WITH A TUSCAN HEART

The following is the preface I wrote for the book “See Feel Taste Val d’Orcia” and reflects the importance and novelty of this beautiful book of exciting photos and texts.

30 June 2022

OFFER: WINES FOR SUMMER PARTIES IN THE GARDEN

As an exception, for the members of the Donatella Club, two fresh wines for the summer: ideal for lunches and dinners in the garden, for aperitifs and for parties next to the pool with friends.

Now that we really want to participate in convivial events, also considering that in summer we prefer to be outdoors, these are two wines to keep close at hand!

Sanchimento-IGT-Toscana-Bianco-2021-e-Chianti-Superiore-2019

Sanchimento-IGT-Toscana-Bianco-2021-and-Chianti-Superiore-2019

The Sanchimento IGT Bianco Toscano, which has always been considered very versatile, is a wonderful match for savoury snacks and meals based on delicate dishes such as vegetable soups, fish, shellfish, white meats, vegetables and fresh cheeses.

While for the Chianti Superiore DOCG, a red wine, the approach to consumption changes. Even the Chianti Consortium suggests lowering the temperature in order to fully enjoy its pleasantness, freshness of perfumes and aromas in summer.

6 bottles of Sanchimento IGT Toscana 2021

6 bottles of Chianti Superiore DOCG 2019

1 corkscrew from our winery

1 recipe book from Fattoria del Colle

23 June 2022

in Forum: News and lifestyle, Vines and wines

Poolwine

A category invented by the young sommelier Vincenzo Donatiello in 2018 which includes wines for the swimming pool: fresh, immediate and pleasant but never trivial

Poolwines-vini-da-piscina-Spumante-Rosè-Metodo-Classico-Donatella-Cinelli-Colombini

Wine experts snub them by branding them as thirst quenchers without real quality but actually they exist all over the world. The French call them vins de soif that is wines for thirst, in English they take the name of poolwine which corresponds to the swimming pool wines proposed by the Lucanian sommelier Vincenzo Donatiello.

VINCENZO DONATIELLO AND POOLWINES

It was this thirty-year-old professional who proposed them for the first time in Italy in 2018. Vincenzo was the maître of the Piazza Duomo restaurant in Alba until February 2022, with the starred chef Enrico Crippa.

17 June 2022

When the vineyard doesn’t make grapes

“Old vineyard makes good wine” says the proverb but only by following three main rules: replace failures, maintain the structure, renew the cordon

Old-vineyards-qualities-and-defects

“The old vines do not make grapes” say many producers and so they uproot it. But it is a mistake. By doing so, they will never produce excellent wines and there is also a way to keep them well. The more the years pass, the more failures increase and the more problems arise related to viruses, damage caused by cultivation tools or neglect in maintaining structures, or errors in soil management. This is especially true for those who use chemicals that reduce the vitality of the earth or heavy tools that compact the soil and asphyxiate the roots. Practices that push the root system of the vines upwards also have similar effects, making them vulnerable to water stress.

9 June 2022

in Vines and wines

ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2020, 5 STARS

In Montalcino, for the first time, there have been 3 extraordinary harvests 2019, 2020 and 2021 one after the other. The one in the middle is extraordinary for its bouquet and full taste

Rosso-di-Montalcino-2020-Casato-Prime-Donne-Donatella-Cinelli-Colombini

Never before has there been such a favorable sequence. A great gift for winemakers but also a great challenge because the three vintages had very different characteristics and therefore had to be interpreted in a different way.

2020 started badly with a small frost during the bud (18-23 March) which reduced the quantity of grapes. The winter was mild and arid. The rain came in June in a very abundant way, throughout the month. The heat began in mid-July and lasted until September with almost no rain but with a strong difference in temperature between night and day. At the time of harvest, the grapes were very small, perfectly ripe and with totally lignified seeds. They gave rise to colourful and fragrant musts with the typical crunchiness of the great Sangiovese vintages.

Rosso di Montalcino 2020 comes from the same ORGANIC vineyards as Brunello. The winemakers at Casato Prime Donne, just before the harvest, divide the vineyards into small plots, by tasting the grapes. Those to be used for the Rosso di Montalcino must have a good component of polyphenols and potential alcohol but lower than those that will produce the wine destined for long aging. Rosso di Montalcino must in fact give satisfaction to those who drink it in the first years of life.

26 May 2022

OFFER: A CELEBRATION OF THE 2016 VINTAGE

An opportunity not to be missed especially for the friends of Donatella’s Club. Purchase two of Casato Prime Donne’s premium wines at once, from the same vintage, and rated at 5 stars

May-Offer-Casato-Prime-Donne-Donatella-Cinelli-Colombini

The 2016 vintage is << the best vintage of an entire generation >>. This is said by Bruce Sanderson, senior editor of Wine Spectator, , a prestigious American magazine in the wine sector. According to Bruce, the Brunellos from 2016 are the most interesting wines since the 1990s.

This vintage of Brunello has also been called the year of wonders, of real masterpieces destined to make the history of the appellation, one more reason to grab and keep as many bottles of this vintage as possible, to enjoy it today as in 20 years.

3 bottles Brunello Prime Donne 2016

3 bottles Brunello Riserva 2016

2 vacuum pumps to be able to enjoy the bottle even a few days later

20 May 2022

in Farm experiences

RECIPES AND PEOPLE OF THE FATTORIA DEL COLLE RESTAURANT

I’m back again to talk to you about the Fattoria del Colle restaurant, introducing you to 2 people and 2 delicious recipes: ravioli stuffed with cheek and pork fillet with Brunello

Those who arrive at Fattoria del Colle know they will find a temple of the more rural Tuscan traditions. The restaurant also reflects this spirit.

Wild-pork-fillet-with-Brunello-Fattoria-del-Colle-Tuscany

Wild-pork-fillet-with-Brunello-Fattoria-del-Colle-Restaurant- Tuscany

The interior room is decorated with a floral motif taken from the villa of Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s uncle and aunt in Chianti Classico. Here there is the fireplace and the breakfast buffet with homemade cakes and biscuits, typical cold cuts and pecorino cheese … the piece of furniture is the farmer’s old desk. The queen of farm breakfasts is Patrizia Guerri who every day prepares unbeatable doughnuts, pies and sponge cakes.

ALFREDO BIAGI, ROBERTA ARCHETTI AND PATRIZIA GUERRI

On the veranda of the restaurant, surrounded by greenery, is the room where guests generally dine by candlelight. Here there is a small collection of copper objects of the farming tradition: jugs, bowls, basins … The decor is more modern with padded chairs and white tablecloths but the dishes are handcrafted in Montelupo Fiorentino inspired by those used in the countryside a century ago.
The dining room service is directed by Alfredo Biagi, AIS Sommelier of the Arezzo delegation since 2016. Alfredo is from Chianciano Terme where his family arrived at the end of the nineteenth century and experienced the golden age of this thermal wellness resort. His grandfather opened the first wine shop in Chianciano and his family managed hotels and restaurants. He himself directed Villa Nottola in Montepulciano for many years

19 May 2022

in Farm experiences