2019 Tenuta di Bibbiano Chianti Classico
PIZZA, PIZZA! This wine is perfect to grab for an Italian night whether it be pizza or something like Margaux’s mushroom and sun-dried tomato pasta.
Organic farming practices and less than 5,000 cases produced annually.
Founded in 1865, Bibbiano is located in the historic Chianti region, in the municipality of Castellina in Chianti, overlooking the Elsa Valley towards the castle of Monteriggioni. Today’s owners, Tommaso and Federico Marrocchesi Marzi, are the fifth generation. Surrounded by vast olive groves consisting of over three thousand trees, Bibbiano’s vineyards cover an area of about 25 hectares, at an altitude ranging from 270 to 300 meters, with enviable exposure and excellent microclimate. The vineyards consist of plants of Sangiovese and Sangiovese Grosso grapes as well as a smaller quantity of Colorino.
Tenuta di Bibbiano was the longest standing consultancy of famed winemaker Giulio Gambelli, also famous for his long relationships with Montevertine and Case Basse di Soldera. Their decades-long association with Gambelli, under whom Bibbiano’s current winemaker trained, still lives on in their traditional approach to winemaking and their commitment to 100%-pure Sangiovese wines. Harvest is still done manually and grapes carefully selected, with different vinification procedures according to the position of the slopes on which the grapes were grown. They are committed to replanting vineyards using wood poles and columns and by planting only autochthonous grapes. Bibbiano is committed to promoting conservative renovation of the farms, in order to not lose their architectural and human heritage and its very ancient history. The estate was certified organic in 2011.
SANGIOVESE
Sangiovese is Italy’s most planted grape varietal and can taste quite different throughout, depending on the region it is grown in. It is the key grape variety of Tuscany’s distinguished Chianti and Montalcino regions. Sangiovese is generally higher in acidity with hints of local earth and herbs including roasted tomato, balsamic and oregano making this wine a great match for you guessed it: tomato sauce. It is sure to stand up beautifully with your home-cooked Italian meal. AKA “Prugnolo Gentile” in the Montepulciano region within Italy.
TUSCANY, ITALY
Tuscany, within Central Italy, lies on the western side of the country. Tuscany is famous for its rolling hills, the popular region of Chianti and the black grape variety, Sangiovese. Sangiovese wines here usually produce high levels of acidity and tannin with aromas of red cherry, plum, and died herbs. Sangiovese does so well throughout Tuscany as it needs a warm climate to ripen fully. Designated regions to keep an eye out for are Chianti DOCG, Chianti Classico DOCG, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG. Additionally, Bolgheri DOC, for bold reds from the coast of Central Italy.