That was Vinitaly 2018: Vino, vino, vino...
While other people all over the world are competing in various marathons, I have completed my annual wine marathon: Vinitaly! I spent two days at the "International Trade Fair for Wine and Spirits", the largest wine fair in the industry, in the Tuscany Hall. I tasted many wines, met many old acquaintances, but also got to know new wineries, new people and their wines.
Today, for once, I'm starting my report from the back - namely with my conclusion to Vinitaly: it was an intensive and productive two days in total, during which I tasted numerous wines. In summary, I can say that every single wine I was allowed to taste had its own taste, its own aroma structure, its own character - even within the individual vintages. Which I personally think is a big plus! Because it shows me that the individual wineries don't "twist" their wines so that they taste the same every year - which is perhaps what some customers would like. Instead, it makes it clear that the winegrowers simply try to get the best out of what nature gives them year after year. Of course, this is easier in some vintages and more difficult in others. But it is honest craftsmanship - and you can taste it. Beyond that, there have been no major outstanding surprises for me, which simply speaks to the fact that the quality level is generally extremely high.
Basically, this year's Vinitialy visit was a confirmation for me of the range that can be found on www.NinaInChianti.com, a confirmation of the high quality of my wines. And yes:
Verona Fiere
Sunday, April 15, 2018: Queue for an hour for the best taste
Vinitaly started for me on Sunday morning with an hour (!) queue. But as a long-time Vinitaly connoisseur, I had already taken this delay into account and arrived punctually at 10 am for my appointment with Michael Schmelzer, the owner of Monte Bernardi. While tasting the current vintages, you can feel Michael's passion for Sangiovese in particular and for winemaking in general. Exciting and convincing wines! Then we went on to Gagliole -an appointment that gave me a great overview of the new vintages. And there is a new wine in the Gagliole range: Gallule - a 100% Sangiovese that grows on the terraced vineyards directly on Gagliole in Castellina in Chianti. A wonderful wine! However, there are only around 1,600 bottles of it - a few of which will soon be in my store, of course... The Gagliole labels have also been relaunched. The result: very elegant - just like the wines themselves. Every year a fixed point at Vinitaly: a visit to the Consorzio Chianti Classico stand. On the agenda was a blind tasting of the 2015 and 2016 Chianti Classico vintages. This much in advance: 2016 is a super, super good vintage - which had already become apparent with the Chianti Classico Collection. And 2015 is also highly recommended! My first day at the fair came to an end with a visit to the Fontodi stand and a tasting of the new vintages of Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo and Flaccianello - all very impressive as always.
Monday, April 16, 2018: New day, new wine!
My Monday started with a trip to the Panzano stand, where I had the opportunity to chat with many winemakers, including Vicky Schmitt-Vitali from Le Fonti and Monia Piccini from Il Palagio di Panzano, and of course to taste some wines. New on my wine radar: the Tenuta Casanuove winery, which was acquired by a French owner in 2015. The wines that have been produced here since the 2015 vintage - a Chianti Classico and an IGT - are certainly something to behold, or rather taste. Certainly a winery that I will be keeping an eye on here in Panzano. I then stopped by Le Cinciole to taste the new vintages. I was delighted to discover that Le Cinciole - as always - has its very own style, which is particularly evident in the new vintages. This was followed by the Poggerino wineries - these wines will soon be available in the store - Casaloste, which has long been an integral part of my store range, and of course Rignana. Cosimo Gericke, owner of Fattoria di Rignana, presented the 2015 Riserva and the 2015 Gran Selezione at his stand. You can already look forward to some really great wines. However, it's still a case of "please wait", as these wines will only be released in the fall. I then started the second round of tastings at the Consorzio Chianti Classico stand - with Riserva and Gran Selezione. There was Riserva 2015 and 2014 as well as some 2013 Gran Selezione. And then there was something that caught my eye: Villa Cigliano. This is a winery near San Casciano. With a Chianti Classico and a Riserva, there are two wines here that I had already tasted at the Chianti Classico Collection and that caught my eye again at the blind tasting. Exciting wines, exciting winery. Last but not least, I treated myself to a preview of San Marcellino 2014 and Geremia 2015 at Rocca di Montegrossi. I can only say they were great. Marco Ricasoli Firidolfi is doing a brilliant job.