Events

Alla Corte del Vino: encounters with great Tuscany
«Magnum» № 9(11) 2006

Ten years ago count Duccio Corsini had a fine idea.

He offered to the best Tuscan winemakers to move away from traditional exhibition formats and stage an event where people would taste, talk and buy wine in a nice relaxed atmosphere. He readily offered his Le Corti villa as a ground for the event. With time Alla Corte del Vino tasting turned into a prestigious annual wine event of Tuscany. It comprises of master classes, gastronomic lunches and a charity auction.

More than a hundred top estates, vertical tastings from Marchesi Mazzei, Fontodi and Tenuta di Trinoro, seminars on varietal wines, oak barrels and new winemaking territories, an auction of fine Italian wines — this is the list of events from the latest two-day programme of Alla Corte del Vino 2006.

From the very beginning the tasting was intended to be a meeting place for lovers and producers of wine. “The motto of Alla Corte del Vino is to taste, to understand, to buy. I wanted to give people not only an opportunity to communicate and to get acquainted with the best Tuscan wines, but to buy them on the spot. We’ve had some protests from producers, yet this condition remains unchanged since the first tasting”, says count Corsini.

Other conditions for participation are not limited only to quality of wines. The estates must support certain winemaking values, respect spirit and traditions of production of great wines of Tuscany. Tasting tables are shared by the established and the new names — from powerful and historic Antinori and Frescobaldi to young and promising Tenuta Poggio Verrano and Cosimo Maria Masini, from classic regions of Chianti Classico and Brunello di Montalcino to rapidly developing Bolgheri and Maremma. These are different sides of Tuscany, but they all represent the school of fine winemaking of the renowned Italian region.

In 2001 Duccio Corsini and his wife Clotilda organized first charity wine auction. Among the lots are fine and rare wines of Italy and the world. The proceeds go to Florentine theatre fund. “Charity auctions are very popular in English speaking countries — why can’t we follow their example? That’s how the link between agriculture and culture is restored”, notes count Corsini.

The latest auction gathered over 56,000 euros. Prices for some lots beat previous records. An imperial (6 l) of Sassicaia 2002 was sold for 2,100 euros, three magnums of Trinoro 2000 — for 1,900 euros, a vertical collection of Tignanello (7 бутылок) — for 1,300 euros.

Count Corsini calls the tasting his favourite little toy, but is jealously protects it from copying. “Some large organizations in Italy tried to do something similar, but they failed to create a unique atmosphere that is a basis of our success. It is a very fragile thing, it must have ideal balance”. That best sums idea of Alla Corte del Vino.

Argentiera 2003, Argentiera, Bolgheri Superiore DOC ++(+)
First release of a new ambitious winery Argentiera which is backed by the capital of Florentine businessmen Fratini, winemaking experience of Piero Antinori and enological genius of Stephane Derenoncourt. A Bordeaux blend (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc). Unmistakable Bolgheri character displayed with exceptional elegance.

Badia a Passignano 2001, Marchesi Antinori, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG +++
One of the jewels in Antinori’s collection doesn’t require introductions. 100% Sangiovese, fermented in oak and steel vats, aged 14 months in barriques and another year in bottles. A fundamental wine with polished masculine character.

Cavaliere 2000, Michele Satta, Toscana IGT +++
Michele Satta bought first piece of land on the coast near Bolgheri in 1988, and since then gathered a collection of prime vineyard plots. A hot dry summer of 2000 brought about early ripening, but the main winemaking challenge was creation of balanced wines. Satta did an exemplary job. Cavaliere, a Sangiovese wine, demonstrates freshness and monumentality, complexity and harmony.

Fattoria Scopone 2000, Fattoria Scopone, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG ++(+)
Scopone winery is situated in a classic zone of Brunello di Montalcino production, 475 m above sea level. Its wines are fresh and elegant. Brunello 2000 has enveloping texture, refreshing minerality and deep finish. Another praise goes to Il Bagatto, an impeccable blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Petit Verdot.

La Forra 2001, Tenuta di Nozzole, Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG ++(+)
Ambrogio Folonari, veteran of Tuscan winemaking, and his son Giovanni own several properties in various parts of Tuscany. Tenuta di Nozzole in Greve produces Chianti Classico wines in spirit of best traditions of the area. Slightly earthy aromas are mixed with spice. Refreshing acidity comes together with good tannic structure, fruit are highlighted by spicy notes. In Tenute del Cabreo they produce a charming La Pietra Chardonnay with fine mineral base.

Montevertine 2002, Montevertine, Toscana IGT 2002 ++
Supertuscan Montevertine has long acquired a cult status. Difficult weather conditions of 2002 made Martino Manetti abandon production of this top Le Pergole Torte. The harvest was instead used for Montevertine, a sensual Sangiovese that was blended with Canaiolo and Colorino and is reminiscent of Burgundy wines.

Nardo 2004, Montepeloso, Toscana IGT +++
Montepeloso vineyards in Bolgheri see an ongoing experimentation to the extent that their owner Fabio Chiarelotto is not prepared to offer a finalized range. Along with Sangiovese, Cabernet and Merlot he works with autochthonous red varieties of the northern and southern Italy. Nardo, for instance, is a blend of Sangiovese, Montepulciano and Cabernet Sauvignon. A complex design of a finely weaved carpet of aromas and flavours.

Nicole 2004, Cosimo Maria Masini, Toscana IGT ++
Cosimo Mаsini bought a rundown winemaking property near Pisa and breathed new life in it. He recently moved to biodynamic winegrowing. The quality of his wines is improving with each vintage. Pure Sangiovese that combines clean red fruit with freshness and drinkability.

Rosso di Sera 2003, Fattoria Poggiopiano, Toscana IGT ++(+)
Poggiopiano estate lies in the historic part of Chianti Classico and — along with very good Chianti Classico — produces this supertuscan wine. It is a selection of best Sangiovese and Colorino. Depth, black chocolate flavours, long tannins and persistent finish make a big impact on the person who drinks it.

Tenuta di Valgiano 2004, Tenuta di Valgiano, Colline Lucchesi DOC ++(+)
Tenuta di Valgiano in the north of Tuscany near Lucca practices biodynamics. A young 2004 wine, blend of Sangiovese and Syrah, is not yet ready for release, but already impresses with the wholeness of its character. Velvety tannins, ripe fruit, soft aromas, voluminous finish — all witness for a great future of the wine.

Trebbiano 2002, Tenuta di Capezzana, Toscana IGT ++
Tenuta di Capezzana is better known through supertuscan Ghiae della Furba that was first produced in 1979, but this time the attention went to the white wine of the estate. Contini Bonacossi family proves that Trebbiano can be made into serious wine. Trebbiano 2002 with an intense bouquet of meadow herbs, deep and complex flavours with nuances of honey and spice, persistent aftertaste confirms the case.