Cosimo Gericke from the Fattoria e Villa di Rignana

While the strict coronavirus restrictions in Austria and Germany are being eased step by step and restaurants, museums, excursion destinations and even borders are being reopened, the easing of measures in Italy is still being handled somewhat more restrictively. And so we will have to refrain from traveling to Italy for some time yet. Until the time comes again, I will probably have to satisfy my and your #SehnsuchtChiantiClassico with my blog posts for a little while longer. And so this time I had a video call with Cosimo Gericke from the wonderful Fattoria di Rignana winery and tasted the new vintages together with Cosimo.

Fattoria e Villa di Rignana - a winery with history(ies)

The Fattoria e Villa di Rignana is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico wine-growing region - just a few minutes' drive from the village of Panzano. 120 hectares of vineyards, gardens and olive groves surround the picturesque estate, which even has its own chapel in addition to a wonderful agriturismo. The estate has an eventful history behind it: it was first mentioned in documents as early as the 11th century and the first evidence of vine cultivation dates back to 1700. From the 17th century, the estate was owned by the noble Dè Ricci family from Florence. Even back then, the noble family's coat of arms featured a hedgehog - because "Riccio" means hedgehog. And under the current owner of Rignana, Cosimo Gericke, the prickly animal can also be found on the labels of wine and olive oil.

This sign signals to many visitors: "Arrived in paradise"

The virtual wine tasting with Cosimo Gericke

The best news first: the current vintages of Rignana wines have arrived in my warehouse and are now available to order! I usually visit "my" wineries in spring to taste the new vintages - including Rignana, of course. Then I meet up with Cosimo for lunch at the Cantinetta, the restaurant at Rignana. Cosimo brings the new vintages to this lunch and we taste and discuss the new wines.

Unfortunately, for reasons we are all aware of, our much-loved exchange over the years could not take place this year. So we arranged a "virtual tasting" via video call. On the one hand, it's important for me to get as much background knowledge about the wines as possible. But beyond that, a real friendship has developed between Cosimo and me over time, and with it a lively exchange about his wines.

Always a special moment: the arrival of the new Fattoria di Rignana vintages

The great new vintages

Number one in our virtual tasting was the Bianco di Toscana 2019 - the white wine made from 100% Sangiovese grapes, which Cosimo produced for the first time last year with great success. For this wine, the Sangiovese grapes from younger vineyards are harvested at an early stage of ripeness and then pressed directly - in this way, the grapes do not give off any color and the wine remains white. While Cosimo only produced 1,000 bottles last year, this year - no doubt to the great delight of many white wine drinkers - it has produced 2,600 bottles.

The 2019 Bianco also has a new look: it is now bottled in a Burgundy bottle, just like the Rosato. And what can I say: the 2019 Bianco vintage is uuuuunbelievably fragrant! It caresses the nose with a hint of apples and pears, but also delicately raspberry and lemony. A real dream when well chilled and therefore an unbeatable pleasure in its weight class. I would even dare to say: sensational! Whether as an aperitivo after a hard day's work or as an ideal accompaniment to food thanks to its wonderful, elegant Sangiovese acidity!

The only problem with this wine is that the bottle is always empty so quickly... But now there's a refill!

Last year, Cosimo and I were able to discuss the 2018 Bianco on the terrace of the Fattoria di Rignana

The next wine on our tasting list was the Rosato 2019. The grapes for a Rosato are harvested and left on their skins for a few hours. Only then are the grapes pressed. This gives the wine its delicate rosé hue. And as always with rosato, the same applies in 2019: lots of strawberries, raspberries and crunchy cherries on the palate, but also a wonderfully elegant acidity - all in all, a wine that is wonderful before a meal, but also an excellent accompaniment. My favorite: Goat's cream cheese, combined with fresh bread and a little raspberry jam and a glass of rosato - that's happiness.

Cosimo is also proud of his two wines: "When the Rosato and Bianco were still being produced last year during the harvest, we were all still a long way from thinking about corona. So I'm all the more pleased now that both have turned out so well. And I hope that our guests and customers can take a little Rignana feeling home with them - at least until they can travel to Italy again."

The pool is already being prepared in anticipation, says Cosimo. In the meantime: Wait and see, keep your fingers crossed and drink wine!

Modern technology also makes it possible to taste the wines together virtually

The Chianti Classico 2017 is certainly ideal for bridging the waiting time until the next trip: I was already able to taste it at the Chianti Classico Collection in February - but the three additional months in the bottle have given this wine an extra boost. Harmony and power are the two key words that were immediately on the tip of my tongue when tasting Cosimo. The typical Chianti Classico aromas such as cherries, sour cherries, plums and dark berries are also present - a beautiful spiciness, a lovely finish, simply a beautiful, typical wine, just as we know and love it from the Fattoria di Rignana.

The maturing cellar at Rignana: Chianti Classico Gran Selezione and Il Riccio, among others, mature here

Two Rignana oldies - but real goldies

Cosimo and I had put one more wine on our tasting list, even though I've had it in my range for some time and of course already drunk it: the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2015. What can I say: And it made zoom... (and not just because of the video conference software of the same name that Cosimo and I used for our meeting). This wine is a bomb! After a year of maturing in the bottle, the somewhat uncouth youngster has become a stately great.

I was deeply impressed by the way this wine now presents itself: the aromas of dark, fully ripe fruit on the nose - cherries, blackberries, blueberries, blackcurrants, but also a delicate spiciness of beautiful black pepper paired with a pleasant minerality. The very first sniff makes you want to take the first sip. And it absolutely delivers what the aroma promises - and conjures up an incredibly balanced feeling on the palate thanks to perfectly integrated tannins and a harmonious acidity. You can almost enjoy the sunshine of summer 2015 and the perfect grapes of this vintage with every single sip.

Cosimo then said: "If you think this 2015 is so good, then let's try the Il Riccio 2015 taste it." No sooner said than done. Il Riccio 2015, which is an IGT made from 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc and not a Chianti Classico, has been in my store for a while and I had already tasted it... But I was really amazed at how this wine presented itself. As a reminder: same winemaker, same vintage, different grapes - but a completely different wine.

Sure, you can taste the terroir of Rignana, but deep dark red in the glass, smelling of all kinds of dark berries and open fire, a full body with depth and minerality, the 2015 is not a "new" vintage, but a real insider tip! Best served with a nice piece of game - a real hit.

Discover all the wines of Fattoria di Rignana

Because life is for celebrating!

Cosimo's conclusion from our joint virtual tasting: "It's such a shame that we can't welcome guests and visitors to Rignana right now. Because right now the wines are so great and at such a good point to drink them. But unfortunately I can't taste them with anyone, I can't show them to anyone. That's what I miss most at the moment."

But maybe my blog post and a little campaign that Cosimo and I have come up with can be a bridge for all those who want to travel to Panzano in Tuscany again soon and enjoy the wines of Rignana. Simply because life is for celebrating! Despite everything that is happening around us... or perhaps because of it.