Monte Chiaro Winery
The warm summer breeze envelops me as I sip on a delicious white wine made in the region in which I now sit. The cicadas creating a relaxing soundtrack to the evening. The air smells so clean, as if nothing has changed over the last hundred years. I am transported back to a time where you farm to survive and exist solely to take care of your family. The views of this estate are breathtaking. It seems like I should be able to see the sea for as many kilometers as spread out before me. The cityscape of Siena is just in the distance, not imposing for its size, overlooking the Chianti hills just to the east in which I am situated. It is so quiet here. Other than the sounds of nature from the olive groves and forest that surrounds the vineyards, the sounds of the human race are almost non existent. It feels so calming. No disturbances from the rest of the world.
I could talk for hours about the energy and ambiance of this beautiful country, yet there is another glaringly obvious reason why I am writing now. The wine that is in my hand.
This region has always been known for Sangiovese. The Tuscany region is where this grape finds its home and where it creates some of the most magical wines I have ever tasted. But in my hand, this wine is a pale straw color, almost white. I am very familiar with the white wines of this region; Vernaccia di San Gimignano for one example. San Gimignano is less than an hour away from where I am and the wines are very different from the one I have here. Vernaccia one of the most historic varieties in Italy and its most stunning examples call San Gimignano home. The wine is delicate, vibrant and full of citrus and herbal characteristics. In the past adorning matrimonial ceremonies of noble families, it is practically non existent in most other countries today. There are also other grapes that are local favorites in this area (mostly in Toscana IGT wines) such vermentino, trebbiano and malvasia; the last one being a name of a large group of grapes have additional names in most areas, like malvasia del Lazio found in the neighboring region.
Alessandro Griccioli is the owner and winemaker of this beautiful place. Here we are located in the Colli Senesi region of Chianti (hills of Siena). With 6 vineyards in the area of around 10 hectares in total, he has dedicated each to the planting of the varieties best suited for each mesoclimate found there. His wines truly embody the concept of terroir. The soft rolling hills were covered by an ocean thousands of years ago, and the soil is filled with limestone and alluvial deposits, and is ideal for perfecting the sangiovese grape. Here you will find each vineyard surrounded by its own ecosystem. Forests, olives, and fruit tress surround the vines, giving them nutrients, competition and protection. After the addition of merlot just this past year, there are ten different varieties you can find here. Sangiovese (of course!) but also colorino, cannaiolo, barsaglina, foglia tonda, and merlot for red varieties, and trebbiano toscana, malvasia bianco, viognier and incrocio manzoni bianco for whites. The glass I have currently is Alessandro's Arteliquida Bianco which is a blend of all four white grapes. 10% manzoni and 30% each for the other 3 varieties.
Why do I enjoy this wine? As mentioned before, the stylistic choice of the region for whites has citrus and herbal notes. This one is very different. Viognier is a french variety noted for its bouquet of white flowers and stone fruits. As you can imagine, this is a very different wine than the rest found here! It is an excellent choice as I sit by the pool enjoying the day. But not only that. This wine is a great example of the terroir here. The flavors profile and acidity make it a perfect pairing for a variety of local Tuscan favorites. I can imagine a caprese salad in front of me and it makes my mouth water with the thought of these two together. The acid in the wine matches the acid in the vibrant tomatoes as it helps slice through the creaminess of the mozzarella. Upon my arrival here I had the chance to try some of their homemade lemon jam atop a chevre goat cheese with this wine and the balance of sweetness between the two is truly remarkable. It is definitely grown in the same location and meant to be enjoyed together.
Obviously there are other great wines here, and you will have to stay tuned to learn more about them. Until then look up this fantastic winery and if you find yourself in Tuscany it is certainly worth a visit.
Follow me on @wineasneeded
And you can find Monte Chiaro Winery @montechiaro.organic.winery and https://www.terredellagrigia.com/
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