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AT ECCELLENZA DI TOSCANA WOMEN AND WINE ARE CELEBRATED

ON MARCH 8, EIGHT WOMEN IN WINE PRESENTED 8 TUSCAN DOCG WINE REGIONS WITH AIS TOSCANA TO CELEBRATE THEIR INTERNATIONAL DAY

Eccellenza di Toscana 2025 e Donne del Vino di Toscana

Eccellenza di Toscana 2025 and Donne del Vino di Toscana

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini #winedestination #fattoriadelcolle #casatoprimedonne

The Stazione Leopolda on the occasion of Eccellenza di Toscana (8 and 9 March) was the setting for an all-female tasting and then at the Columbus Urban Hotel for the presentation of Barbara Amoroso‘s book which was also attended by Governor Eugenio Giani.

DOCG WINES OF TUSCANY WITH AIS TOSCANA

The first event is the tasting entitled “DOCG wines of Tuscany with women” which took place within the 23rd edition of “Eccellenza di Toscana”. This is a major event organized by the Italian Sommelier Association of Tuscany in the scenic Stazione Leopolda in Florence on March 8 and 9.

<<To celebrate the feminine side of the sommelerie, the tasting was be led by Ilaria Lorini, Best Tuscan Sommelier AIS 2024, and Lucrezia Caverni Donna del Vino, sommelier and AIS taster>> specified the AIS regional President Cristiano Cini, presenting the initiative that lined up 8 of the 11 Tuscan DOCGs with labels signed by women. <<The 120 Tuscan Women in Wine represent, on this beautiful occasion, all the Italian wineries led by women, which are 28% of the total>> said the Tuscan Delegate Donatella Cinelli Colombini, proud of the amazing bottles of her members.

7 March 2025

AN EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR TRUE ENTHUSIASTS

Would you like to receive 4 bottles of Brunello Prime Donne 2020 and a magnum of Prime Donne 2020 directly at your home for €292.00?

Dear wine lovers, we have prepared an unmissable opportunity for you! Brunello Prime Donne 2020, an extraordinary wine resulting from a meticulous selection by four internationally renowned female experts, is available in a special proposal in two formats.

This is the first vintage in which Brunello Prime Donne is produced exclusively with grapes from the “Prime Donne” vineyard at Casato Prime Donne, with a limited production of only 5,000 bottles. A Brunello that embodies elegance, finesse and longevity, created to satisfy the palate of the most demanding female consumers, but capable of conquering everyone.

OFFER OF THE MONTH: TWO FORMATS FOR EVERY OCCASION

– The 0.75L bottle, perfect for an intimate dinner or a tasting among a few connoisseurs.

– The magnum (1.5L), ideal for special occasions and for those who love to see the wine evolve over time in a sublime way.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR MEMBERS OF DONATELLA’S CLUB

– 4 bottles (0.75L) of Brunello Prime Donne 2020 BIO

– 1 Magnum (1.5L) of Brunello Prime Donne 2020 BIO

– 1 personalized wooden lid from the Donatella Cinelli Colombini winery

28 February 2025

WINENEWS IS THE N. 1 WINE BLOG IN ITALY AND THE N. 23 IN THE WORLD

LIKE EVERY YEAR FEEDSPOT, THE WORLD’S LARGEST DATA BASE ON BLOGS, PUBLISHES THE RANKING OF THE BEST ON WINE AND WINENEWS IS ONCE AGAIN NO. 1 IN ITALY

Alessandro Regoli e Irene Chiari WineNews Vincitori del Premio Casato Prime Donne 2024

Alessandro Regoli and Irene Chiari WineNews

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, #winedestination, #brunellodimontalcino

In truth, there is something strange in the two wine blog rankings: Intravino is in 14th place in the world list but does not appear in the Italian one even though he is a compatriot. Odd!!!

BEST ITALIAN WINE BLOGS

FeedSpot is a huge archive where you can find blogs, videos, podcasts on any topic and choose the ones to follow based on their style and content. Once a year it brings together the best and Wine News is always in a leading position. The best Italian wine blogs are chosen from thousands of digital media outlets, based on relevance, authority, social media followers and freshness.

First, therefore, WineNews led by Irene Chiari and Alessandro Regoli from their headquarters in Montalcino. A global broadcaster speaking from a small town that has become famous for being the home of Brunello wine. WineNews is described by FeedSpot << The reference point for information on the world of wine: interviews, videos, reviews, insights and always the latest news. Winenews is a communication agency>>. Followed by Vinoway and WineBlogRoll by Francesco Saverio Russo. Only 6th position for the Italian version of Wine Spectator.

25 February 2025

TUSCAN STEWED CAULIFLOWER

DELICIOUS WINTER SIDE DISH FROM THE TUSCAN COUNTRYSIDE TRADITION WHICH CAN BECOME A ROYAL RECIPE WITH EVO OIL LIKE WHAT IS MADE AT FATTORIA DEL COLLE

By Donatella Cinelli Colombini, #winedestination, #docorcia

Three-time cooked vegetables are typical of Tuscan cuisine. In summer, celery or cardoons are boiled, fried and cooked with tomato sauce. In winter the same preparation is made with cauliflower. From my experience there is more tomato in the Val d’Orcia version and much less in the Val di Chiana one but the recipes are still delicious. They are a side dish to pair with chicken Cacciatore or freshly made buffalo mozzarella.

Very easy to perform but a bit lengthy

20 February 2025

IL DRAGO E LE 8 COLOMBE IGT TOSCANA 2020

2020 WILL BE REMEMBERED BECAUSE OF COVID BUT ALSO FOR THE EXCELLENT QUALITY OF THE GRAPES AND THE LUCK WHICH SAVED THE VINEYARDS FROM BAD WEATHER

VENDEMMIA 2020 Donatella Cinelli Colombini controlla il colore del mosto

2020 Harvest Donatella Cinelli Colombini checks the colour of the must

Everyone remembers Covid masks and tests always at hand. In reality we should remember it as one of the luckiest harvests because the damage from the spring frost (18-23 March) was less than elsewhere and because the autumn rainfalls circled around the vineyards until the end of the harvest.Lucky but scarce, the 2020 vintage certainly deserves 5 stars, the maximum rating.Donatella Cinelli Colombini has been cultivating her vineyards organically for years and has been following a project called “Vineyard first” for years. It consists in a large investment in labour and equipment so that the grapes arrive in the cellar in perfect conditions on the first day of full maturation. A lot of work and a lot of attention which, in years like 2020, are helped by nature and the climate.

The 2020 grapes were healthy, with small berries, well-lignified seeds and the Sangiovese had the typical crunchiness of great vintages. Analytical data even better than 2019 with an excellent content of noble substances in the skins (extractable polyphenols) and a nice acid content

18 February 2025

SALCICCE CON LE PULEZZE-SAUSAGES FOTH TURNIP LEAVES

A POOR RECIPE FROM THE TUSCAN COUNTRYSIDE, AN AMAZING DISH USING EXCELLENT INGREDIENTS: VEGETABLES FROM THE GARDEN, EVO OIL FROM THE FARM, ARTISAN SAUSAGES

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, #winedestination, #brunellodimontalcino

Le pulezze sono le foglie tenere delle rape

Pulizia delle pulezze – le foglie tenere delle rape

The word “pulezze” in the Val di Chiana dialect indicates “turnip tops”, i.e. the tender turnip leaves. In the “Chianina” language it is also used in some ways of saying, for example they indicate a person with little energy with “has he eaten pulezze?”.

13 February 2025

CASATO PRIME DONNE: AN UNPARALLELED EXPERIENCE IN MONTALCINO

CASATO PRIME DONNE IS DISTINGUISHED FOR THE QUALITY OF ITS WINES AND FOR A SERIES OF UNIQUE FEATURES THAT MAKE EVERY VISIT AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

Among the novelties for 2025 is the “driver discount” of €10 for those who have to get behind the wheel after the experience in the cellar and can therefore taste only one wine.

THE FIRST ITALIAN WINERY WITH AN ALL-FEMALE TEAM

Casato Prime Donne is the first winery in Italy to boast a staff made up exclusively of women, from the oenologist to the cellar workers, from the sales staff to the tourist reception staff. This pioneering choice underlines the commitment to female empowerment in the wine sector, giving our wines a unique touch of sensitivity and dedication

6 February 2025

FATTORIA DEL COLLE 2025 WINERY TOURS

NOVELTY AND TRADITION IN 5 UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES ON WINE AND EVO OIL, AT FATTORIA DEL COLLE. DEDICATED TO LOVERS OF WINE, HISTORY AND NATURE

The main innovation this year is the introduction of the “Driver discount” which provides a €10 discount for those who can taste just one wine. It is Fattoria del Colle’s contribution to safe driving and a kind way to alleviate the sacrifice of those who will then have to drive. A necessary adjustment after the introduction of the new highway code and the tightening of controls.

DRIVER DISCOUNT FOR SAFE WINE TOURISM

For 2025 the new experience is called “New Oil in Ancient Jars, Brunello and Vino Orcia Cenerentola” and enhances the recently inaugurated orciaia in the basement of the Fattoria del Colle villa. After a very careful restoration and the use of some innovative elements, Donatella Cinelli Colombini is, for the first time, putting extra virgin olive oil back into traditional Tuscan ceramic containers. A mix of tradition and innovation that increases the charm of the wonderful extra virgin olive oil from these lands.

31 January 2025

New offer: 2 TOP family wines-with a preview

Would you like to receive 3 bottles of Chianti Superiore 2022 and 3 bottles of Il Drago e le 8 Colombe 2020 directly to your home for €123.00?

This is an opportunity for those who love the small ORGANIC productions of Fattoria del Colle. It is truly an unmissable opportunity for lovers of good wine!

In the Chianti Superiore 2022 the superior typology indicates Chianti with superior quality characteristics and aging

Nell'offerta del mese, in anteprima la nuova annata di "Il Drago" assieme al Chianti Superiore 2022

Family wine della Fattoria del Colle: Chianti Superiore 2022 e Il Drago 2020 nell’offerta del mese

capacity. It is produced at Fattoria del Colle from vineyards with greater vocation and lower production.

Il Drago e le 8 Colombe 2020 preview is a “super Tuscan” that is, an IGT Toscana wine that does not belong to any denomination but was born following the creativity of Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s winemakers. It is a blend of wines from three different varieties, grown at Fattoria del Colle, and is dedicated to the male component of her family which yesterday consisted of her husband Carlo Gardini and today is represented by her grandson Lorenzo.

As a gift, you will receive a customized professional corkscrew and a booklet, “Brief handbook for great wine lovers”, with historical notes on the vine and wine, the cultivation and pruning of the vine, and the principles of tasting. A small booklet that will help you better understand the effort and commitment of those who work on the farm.

23 January 2025

ERIC GUIDO FROM VINOUS AND THE NEW BRUNELLO 2020 AND RISERVA 2019

94 POINTS FOR BRUNELLO RISERVA 2019, 93 AND 91 FOR BRUNELLO PRIME DONNE AND BRUNELLO CLASSICO 2020. ERIC GUIDO’S COMMENTS ON THE NEW VINTAGES ON SALE

by Donatella Cinelli Colombini, #winedestination, #brunellodimontalcino

Vinous is a wine review portal created by Antonio Galloni starting from “Piedmont Report” (2004). It is young but is establishing itself as one of the most authoritative repertoires of wine reviews

VINOUS THE WINE REVIEW PORTAL CREATED BY ANTONIO GALLONI

He has 12 collaborators including two Masters of Wine and Stephen Tanzer who has brought together his International Wine Cellar in the same portal. Eric Guido is entrusted with tasting wines from most of Italy, including Montalcino. Eric previously led wine and retail marketing for Morrell Wine Group and is also an expert in food and music.

After reading his comments we wrote to him saying <<We are not surprised that you like the “Prime Donne” and the Brunello Riserva more which are more structured, but I hope you have seen the new search for purity and territoriality that characterizes all our wines. It’s a project we called “Vineyard First” and has been going on for five years. The most important change concerns the time of harvest. We harvest each parcel of vineyard on the exact day it reaches complete maturation. The result is that when we finish the harvest all the other Montalcino wineries are just beginning>>

In fact, the Vineyard First project has allowed us to produce wines that consumers like because they are pure; they communicate the grape variety, terroir and climate. They may seem simple, almost “minimalist” but in reality, they are the expression of great respect for nature.

14 January 2025

MICHAEL GODEL FROM CANADA SENDS US 11 EXCELLENT SCORES

BRUNELLO, ROSSO DI MONTALCINO AND ORCIA DOC IN THE LEONE ROSSO AND CENERENTOLA VERSION ON WINE ALIGN THE PORTAL BY CANADIAN SUPER TASTERS

Michael Godel with Donatella Cinelli Colombini’s staff

Michael Godel is among the foreign wine critics who know Montalcino best. He often participates in Benvenuto Brunello and the Tuscan wine previews and has visited hundreds of wineries in this area. He loves Sangiovese but also greatly appreciates the Foglia Tonda variety for its acidic richness which makes the wines long-lived and fresh.

Our importer in Ontario, Bernard Stramwasser Les Sommelier sent us 11 sheets and 11 scores from Michael Godel on Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino, Leone Rosso Doc Orcia and 6 vintages of Cenerentola (based on Sangiovese and Foglia Tonda) from 2021 to 2001. They are published on Wine Align, the portal of the major Canadian wine experts.

BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG 2020 SCORE 93/100

Godel appreciated this wine and the respectful way in which it was vinified and matured, allowing the vintage to express itself without intervening in the cellar. The result is a good richness of extracts and a natural balance.

9 January 2025

95,94, 94,93 STELLAR RATINGS BY WINE ADVOCATE FOR DCC’S BRUNELLOS

EXCELLENT RATINGS AND A MOVING MEMORY OF CARLO GARDINI IN THE INFORMATION SHEET WRITTEN BY MONICA LARNER ABOUT BRUNELLO 2018, 2019 AND 2020 BY DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI

Donatella Cinelli Colombini has known Monica Larner for many years, they have different ideas but they respect each other and above all they are fond of each other. This is why Donatella cried reading what Monica wrote about her husband Carlo in Wine Advocate –Robert Parker. She felt understood and embraced with affection. << I don’t remember having met Donatella without the super supportive Carlo right there at her side. They were a strong couple who were on an equal footing>>.

This is perhaps the most important thing for a producer: feeling understood in his or her deepest life choices.

2 January 2025

BRUNELLO RISERVA 2019 ORGANIC CASATO PRIME DONNE

THE 2019 VINTAGE SEEMS BORN TO CHALLENGE TIME AND TO BECOME BRUNELLO RISERVA. GRAPES SO PERFECT THAT NEEDED ONLY PATIENCE

There are vintages that seem born to produce wines capable of defying time and 2019 is one of them.

These are the harvests in which the grapes arrive in the cellar so perfect that they don’t need anything, just attention and patience.

Brunello 2019 is celebrated by critics and consumers as one of the best vintages of the last 20 years and in the Riserva version it finds its most enthusing expression for the silky harmony that hides a powerful structure.

Contrary to what usually happens in the best harvests, 2019 was abundant. A circumstance that also occurred in the legendary 2010 vintage and reveals how global warming has changed the internal balance of plants. In both of these vintages the vines were still in vegetation at the time of the harvest. This is also a rare but very favourable feature.

27 December 2024