Il Palagio in the heart and Sangiovese in the blood

Monia Piccini and Nina in Chianti

Nina in Chianti in conversation with Monia Piccini from the Azienda Agricola Il Palagio di Panzano

At the Azienda Agricola Il Palagio in Panzano in Chianti, Monia Piccini and her husband Franco produce excellent red wines in one of the top locations of the shell-shaped Conca d'Oro and, more recently, the Rosato Aldemara. They also produce an excellent extra virgin olive oil.

Monia is a true Panzanese - in other words, she was born and raised here and lives and works with her husband, her two daughters and their dog Bruno in what is probably one of the most beautiful places on earth. As you know, it is important to me to know "my" winegrowers personally. By the way: If you would like to meet Monia in person and taste her wines, you should stop by the "Vino al Vino" in Panzano in Chianti, which will be held in the Piazza from September 13 - 16, 2018.

If you don't have the opportunity to attend "Vino al Vino", you can get to know Monia a little better here. Because I had a chat with her about wine, about life and about many, many other things. You can find excerpts from our (very entertaining) conversation here:

Nina in Chianti: Monia, when you think of wine - Chianti Classico, the Riserva, a Gran Selezione, an IGT or a Supertuscan - which of these wines best reflects your character?

Monia Piccini: (answers as if shot from a pistol...) Chianti Classico - no question!

Nina in Chianti: Surely not the Riserva? You are such a strong woman!

Monia Piccini: (laughs) Yes, that's me. But I believe that Chianti Classico is the one of our wines that is most different from the others and at the same time forms the basis for everything else. In other words, only if the Chianti Classico has a good character can the Riserva and Gran Selezione become bigger and more complex.

Nina in Chianti and Monia Piccini from Il Palagio di Panzano

And when I think of myself, I think of Il Palagio and the land on which we grow wine, and that Chianti Classico was the root, the origin of everything here at Il Palagio. Chianti Classico has always existed.

Nina in Chianti: I understand. But that leads me straight to my next question: what makes a wine a really good wine for you? What thing, what certain something must a wine definitely have for you? 

Monia Piccini: Well, as you know, I'm not a trained oenologist or agronomist... But I've found out what I like and what I don't like through my many years of personal experience.

Monia Piccini: And then a wine has to have character for me - for me that means the characteristics of the soil, the characteristics of the landscape from which the wine comes, the characteristics of the grape - you have to be able to taste all of that in the wine. Of course, when I think of Chianti Classico, I immediately think of Sangiovese, which is strong and difficult at the same time, but reveals all the more flavorful beauty if you know how to treat it right.

Nina in Chianti: Monia, in 2009 you converted the cultivation of Il Palagio to organic farming. This was finally followed by official organic certification in 2013. Why is this so important to you? 

Monia Piccini: Phew, as you know, Nina, this changeover in my family has not been entirely without discussion... Franco and I are now the third generation to run Il Palagio as a winery. And from the very beginning, we both had the vision of cultivating the land sustainably. Although, of course, I initially had doubts as to whether I had chosen the right path.

Nina always has questions for Monia

But ultimately, I hope that by using our land sustainably, I can help people and plants to live longer. And with healthier products from healthier plants. This applies to our wines, of course, but also to our olive oil and our vegetable garden, from which we harvest for our guests.

Nina in Chianti: Monia, what is special about Il Palagio for you - what is special about the place itself?

Monia Piccini: You know: I couldn't say the word "mom" first, but "Palagio"! Il Palagio is simply part of the family for me - both Franco's and my family. Il Palagio is my life, always has been and always will be. Because Il Palagio is also the future of our children.

Nina in Chianti: Assuming you didn't have Il Palagio, which winery or wine region would you like? Where would you like to have a winery?

Monia Piccini: Definitely Trentino. Because when I think of this area, I see a region that has roots and character. A region where people are sensitive to the environment. And you know - I love sparkling wine! 

Monia (Il Palagio di Panzano) smells intensely on the glass

Nina in Chianti: Another question about wine: what is your favorite grape? Apart from Sangiovese, of course... 

Monia Piccini: Riesling! But I also like Teroldego - an interesting red autochthonous grape that I have tried several times in the last two years. 

Nina in Chianti: Funny, because Riesling - like Sangiovese - is also a grape variety that needs a lot of attention and care. But, dear Monia, now I have another question for you: Did you actually have another profession before you became a winemaker? 

Monia Piccini: Before I took over the estate here from my father, I organized wine tours through Tuscany for foreign tour operators. I was still very young at the time, still studying, but I had the opportunity to learn a lot and gain experience.

Monia Piccini: And I also worked as a wedding planner for three and a half years. I was always commuting back and forth between London and Florence... an exciting time. But I would never do it again! 

Nina in Chianti: Ok, so that's a work-related no-go... But what is an absolute no-go for you in the wine cellar, at work? 

Monia Piccini: I hate bureaucracy! But I have to deal with it - whether I like it or not. 

Nina in Chianti: Now I have four little questions for you at the end. Number one: What is your favorite dish? 

Monia Piccini: Pasta and meat - in all variations.

Nina in Chianti: And what's your favorite drink to go with it? 

Monia Piccini: It all depends on how the pasta and meat are prepared... but I would say that I love Chianti Classico - of course - or a glass of Le Bambole with the meat. When it's winter outside and I can relax in front of the open fire - then a glass of Le Bambole and all is right with the world! 

Nina in Chianti: Which destination are you dreaming of?

Monia Piccini: Definitely Northern Europe and Alaska! I'm not really a southern type (laughs).

Nina in Chianti: Last question, Monia: What is your motto in life? 

Monia Piccini: "Do it" - that's what I always tell my children! 

Nina in Chianti: Monia, grazie!

Monia Piccini: Prego!