Rocca di Montegrossi Ridolfo Toscana Rosso IGT

Ridolfo Toscana Rosso IGT from Rocca di Montegrossi

A great name for a great wine

Of course, a wine is not primarily about how it looks. But if you take a look at the Ridolfo Toscana Rosso IGT from Rocca di Montegrossi, you will realize that it must be something very special, something great. Since the Ridolfo is exclusively available in a 1.5 liter magnum bottle, this wine is big in the truest sense of the word.  And also the packaging promises "grandezza" : in a wooden box with gold print, the Ridolfo makes its impact from the first moment. The bottle itself is wrapped in a fine paper on which  is represented the family tree of the Ricasoli-Firidolfi family. You can already guess that the name of the wine has something to do with the famous, originally Lombardic noble family Ricasoli and its historical roots. After all, Marco's ancestor is the famous Bettino Ricasoli, who is considered as the inventor of the Chianti Classico. However, the Ridolfo takes its name from one of Marco's oldest ancestors from the tenth century: namely from Ridolfo Ricasoli. He was the long-awaited son of Geremia Ricasoli, who at that time just had settled in the Chianti region. Thus, Ridolfo was the first Ricasoli whose home was in Chianti Classico. The central importance Ridolfo had for the family can also be seen in the Latin family tree. There the Ridolfo's descendants are listed as "filiis rodulfi" - thus as "Ridolfo's sons". Later, in Old Italian, this became the name "Firidolfi". So, until today, Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi does not only bear the name of the noble family but also the epithet Firidolfi, which distinguishes him as a direct descendant of Ridolfo. And the name of the wine is a sign of appreciation for the forefather of the Ricasoli-Firidolfis.

Ridolfo has an unusual pair in it: Cabernet Sauvignon & Pugnitello

The content of the bottle itself is at least as great as the story behind the name of the wine and its presentation. After all, it is also something very special: a never-seen-before blend of 50 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 50 percent Pugnitello. This grape variety, which is native from Tuscany, was almost considered to have disappeared. Because "Pugno" means as much as fist - and the Pugnitello grapes are similarly small. Due to their low yield, the grapes have not been very popular among vintners for a long time. Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi, owner of Rocca di Montegrossi, has rediscovered these small-berried grapes and their unique taste. And thus the gentle "fist" of Pugnitello in Ridolfo meets the international charm of Cabernet Sauvignon for the very first time. The result is a wine that is full of power, structure and complexity. A wine that wonderfully reflects the terroir of Monti in Chianti, where is situated the Rocca di Montegrossi estate. On the palate blackberries meet dried plums, harmoniously accompanied by the sour cherry aromas typical for Pugnitello grapes and the eucalyptus touch of Cabernet Sauvignon. A pinch of pepperiness and spice finishes a very special wine in many aspects. A wine that reflects the strong personality and proud character of its namesake!

Monti in Chianti: the best terroir for wine growing

When talking about Tuscany and red wine, comes up inevitably the name Monti in Chianti. There is no doubt that Monti in Chianti is one of the most outstanding wine-growing areas in Chianti Classico, which is considered the oldest wine-growing area in the world. And so there are numerous renowned wineries in the immediate vicinity of Monti. One of them is the biologically certified Rocca di Montegrossi winery. On an area of about 100 hectares of land, Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi is producing outstanding wines. 20 hectares of them are planted with vineyards - all of them in a gently hilly, south-southeastern position, at an altitude between 340 and 510 meters above sea level. Sangiovese occupies an area of 13 hectares - the leading variety of the Chianti Classico. But also can be found here the autochthonous grape varieties Canaiolo, Colorino, Pugnitello and Malvasia Bianca di Toscana. The international grape varieties Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon occupy only a small part of these vineyards. The winery has been officially certified as an organic winery since 2010. Sustainability is also a big issue for Marco Ricasoli Firidolfi. Rainwater is collected in cisterns in order to carry out the necessary cleaning work in the cellar. Solar panels on the roof of the winery supply the energy for the controlled cellar temperature. 

An outstanding red wine range and a heavenly Vin Santo

Together with his oenologist Attilio Pagli, Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi is responsible for the high quality of the wines of Rocca di Montegrossi. The flagship of the winery is undoubtedly the Vin Santo of Rocca di Montegrossi, which is not holy, but all the more heavenly for it - in a quality that is rarely found elsewhere. In terms of quantity, the main product in the assortment is the Chianti Classico. It consists of about 90 percent sangiovese and 5 percent each canaiolo and colorino. The Vigneto San Marcellino Chianti Classico Gran Selezione reflects the elegance and complexity of the old vines. The vines, which are up to 45 years old, grow in the immediate vicinity of the small church with the same name. Produced from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, Geremia, the super Tuscan of Rocca di Montegrossi, on the one hand brings internationality to the assortment, but at the same time expresses in an incomparable way the diversity of the wonderful terroir of Monti in Chianti. And at the same time, it underlines Marco's connection to his ancestors. The fruity-fresh Rosato is a faithful companion through the summer. And from the 1,000 olive trees which grow and thrive on the best slopes in Monti in Chianti is produced every year an Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva DOP del Chianti Classico.