Poggio al Sole Balsamic Condiment

Condimento Balsamico from Poggio al Sole

Sangiovese - once sweet and sour please!

It should be well known that the wineries in Chianti Classico not only produce excellent wines, but that they also produce a wonderful olive oil. The fact that Poggio al Sole has recently introduced a Condimento Balsamico made from Sangiovese grapes is something new even for Nina in Chianti. As with wine making, the grapes are first carefully harvested, then immediately pressed for the condimento vinegar. This Sangiovese grape juice is brought from Poggio al Sole to Modena - yes, exactly where the famous Aceto Balsamico comes from. In a so-called acetaia, i.e. in a traditional production facility of the famous vinegar, the grape juice will be boiled for several hours. This stops the first alcoholic fermentation. This boiled down juice will be then fermented at a controlled temperature, this fermentation process being interrupted by acidification with organic wine vinegar. The fermented must will be then clarified by sedimentation. To obtain the desired density, the must will be then boiled down a second time. The result will be a wonderfully sweet and sour balsamic. Ideal with matured cheese and perfect for any kind of salad, but also harmonises excellently with vegetables or fruits. My tip: If you find the Condimento Balsamico too sweet, simply mix it with a little apple or white wine vinegar - this underlines the acidic side of the Condimento. By the way this Condimento Balsamico is of course 100 percent organic just like all products from Poggio al Sole.

Poggio al Sole: sunny Tuscan hills in the hands of Swiss winegrowers

Between the towns of Tavarnelle Val di Pesa and Greve in Chianti lies the "Poggio al Sole" winery. Translated this means "hill in the sun". And the 70 hectares of land that belong to the wine estate more than live up to this name. On 24 hectares, vines grow and flourish: on 14 hectares exclusively Sangiovese. The vine varieties Canaiolo, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay can be also found on the extensive vineyard sites, beside the 1,500 olive trees. At the highest point of the gently rolling vineyards and woods is enthroned the estate house, built in typical Tuscan style with ochre-colored stones. The same hill can be seen in stylized form on the labels of all Poggio al Sole wines. The Swiss Davaz winemakers family is responsible for the eight wines in the assortment, as well as for the other products. They have Poggio al Sole in their possession since 1990. Wine has always been in Johannes Davaz' blood. He comes from a well-known family of winemakers who have been producing wine in Switzerland since the early 1970´s. As an experienced agronomist and enologist Johannes is aware of how sensitive the balance between man and nature is. He has been focusing on a sustainable cultivation of his vineyards for a long time. Since 2016 all wines from Poggio al Sole are officially certified organic.

Eight wines, one Olio and one Condimento Balsamico

In total, eight different wines are produced at Poggio al Sole: six red wines, one rosato and one white wine. The majority of the production holds their Chianti Classico: a blend of 90 percent Sangiovese, 5 percent Canaiolo and 5 percent Merlot. The Gran Selezione with the sounding name Casasilia is produced from 100 percent Sangiovese - an outstanding red wine! An interesting wine  is their 100 percent Canaiolo as well. The Syrah one is one variety deep red wine. Trittico is an easily drinkable house wine of Poggio al Sole and is a lovely trio of grapes: 70 percent Sangiovese, joined by 15 percent each of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Chiara, is the sweet name of the light, fresh white wine, which consists of 80 percent Chardonnay and 20 percent Bianco di Sangiovese. Nowadays a Rosato should be in almost all Tuscan winery assortment - in this case it is an one hundred percent Sangiovese. The Rosato from Poggio al Sole is called Primavera, fitting for the drinking pleasure on warm spring and summer evenings. Of course, an olive  oil is also presented and is product of the fruits of the 1,500 in-house olive trees. And it is like all wines 100 percent organic. This also applies, of course, to the sweet and sour Condimento Balsamico - produced from Sangiovese grapes of the Davaz family in an Acetaia in Modena.

Dream holidays in a region full of history and stories

Those who dream of the perfect Tuscan holiday can now stop dreaming and make their dreams come true. Because since the purchase of Poggio al Sole, Kathrin and Johannes have not only continuously expanded the winery - vineyards were purchased, the wine cellar was expanded and modernized, a solar system was put in place - but now the agriturismo makes the dream come true of a vacation on a typical Tuscan winery. Tuscany dreamers are spoilt for choice between four spacious holiday apartments and a lovingly furnished double room. All apartments and rooms have one thing in common: from each of them you can enjoy the view over the gently rolling vineyards, the valleys and forests to the neighboring Rignana wine estate and to the Badia a Passignano abbey. By the way, this is closely linked to the history of Poggio al Sole. Historical documents show that the estate, which was called Casasilia in the 12th century, was owned by the nearby abbey. The records also show that wine and olives were already grown here at that time. It was only in 1969 that the estate changed property and was given the name Poggio al Sole. But perhaps, as the sun sets over the vineyards, you will simply let the members of the Davaz family tell you a few stories about times long past. And who knows, maybe you'll dream about it...