Fontodi Vigna del Sorbo Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG

Vigna del Sorbo Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG from Fontodi

A Gran Selezione with a moving story

The Vigna del Sorbo has had a moving story behind it : until the 2009 vintage it was classified as Chianti Classico Riserva and only since the 2010 vintage is the wine Vigna del Sorbo classified as a Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. However until 2011 it was produced from 90 per cent Sangiovese and 10 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. And since the 2012 vintage only Sangiovese grapes have been used for the Vigna del Sorbo. Today, Fontodi has a total of three wines from 100 per cent Sangiovese in its range - in addition to the Vigna del Sorbo, the super star Flaccianello and of course the Evergreen, the Chianti Classico. The grapes for the Vigna del Sorbo come from a single vineyard with a south-western orientation  that have exceeded the proud age of 40 years. After harvesting the grapes by hand, they undergo a three-week fermentation process in temperature-controlled steel tanks. Then the wine is allowed to rest and mature for 24 months in new and used Troncais and Allier barrels. Ruby red in the glass and earthy in the nose, then forest fruit aromas in the mouth make you want more and more from the Vigna del Sorbo.

Red and white - the world’s most beautiful color combination for wine drinkers

In addition to the Gran Selezione, Fontodi also has two other red wines in its range, which are also pure Sangiovese wines. First of course is the Flaccianello della Pieve Colli Toscana Centrale IGT, famous far beyond the borders of Italy, which was voted one of the top 10 wines in the world by the American wine magazine "Wine Spectator". On a second place is the Chianti Classico from one hundred per cent Sangiovese, which accounts for the lion’s share of Fontodi production. The clear opposite to these wines is the Syrah Case Via, which is a pure international wine. Despite the international grape variety, you can taste perfectly the terroir of Panzano in Chianti. Fontodi also produces a white wine - Meriggio, one of the rare white wines from Chianti Classico. The Sauvignon Blanc grapes come from the vineyards near Villa La Rota, where you can also enjoy an excellent holiday. Unfortunately, only a very small quantity of this white wine is produced. 

Tenuta Fontodi: a vineyard in the Chianti Classico in the course of time

The Fontodi winery is enthroned on a single hill at the gates of Panzano in Chianti. In 1968, the Manetti family acquired Tenuta Fontodi. At that time the brothers Giovanni and Marco Manetti were still young. After experimenting extensively with grape varieties they decided to plant mainly Sangiovese but also a smaller proportion of international grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Syrah or Sauvignon Blanc. At the winery happened a lot as well, in addition to the replanting of the vineyards. The experienced oenologist Franco Bernabei was engaged as a consultant, the wine cellar was expanded, the cultivated areas were expanded and the biodynamic principles were intensified. Today Giovanni Manetti runs the winery on his own, his brother takes care of the terracotta business. And Tenuta Fontodi is one of the largest companies in Chianti Classico. More than 130 hectares of land, including more than 80 hectares of vineyards, over 20 employees and a production of around 400,000 bottles of wine per year - these figures speak for themselves.

Organic & sustainability for best wine quality

Since 2003 the vineyards of Fontodi have been cultivated according to organic principles and the winery is officially certified as an organic farm. Giovanni Manetti, the owner of Fontodi, is very concerned about the natural cultivation of the vineyards. He was also the one who initiated the project "Panzano sostenibile" - i.e. "sustainable Panzano". The idea behind it is that organic farming works best when the neighbour follows the same principles. Then nature and man will benefit the most. In the meantime, the majority of the winegrowers in Panzano are relying on organic, sustainable cultivation - the international wine press even elevated Panzano to the "No. 1 organic district in Italy". Other quality factors for the Fontodi wines are of course the terroir, i.e. the sites where the vines grow and the grapes ripen, or the ideal "Galestro" soil for Sangiovese. All these conditions ensure that the Sangiovese grapes in the Conca d’Oro ripen perfectly while retaining their freshness, acidity and structure. Of course together with the Sangiovese the international grape varieties also find the best conditions.