WineAndTech’

Category: Toscane

  • Italy: Tuscany — Promis, Nothing but Pleasure

    Italy: Tuscany — Promis, Nothing but Pleasure

    “The wines of Tuscany are wines that reflect the beauty and elegance of this region, and that have an extraordinary capacity for ageing.” – Wine Spectator

    Promis is produced by the Ca’Marcanda estate, located in the Bolgheri region of Tuscany. This estate belongs to the famous Gaja family of wine producers, who have a long winemaking tradition in Italy.

    Ca’Marcanda was founded by Angelo Gaja in 1996, with the aim of producing wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Bolgheri region. The estate covers around 150 hectares of vineyards, planted mainly with Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

    Ca’Marcanda is known for producing wines of great quality, combining complexity, elegance and power. Besides Promis, the estate also produces several other prestigious wines, such as Magari, Camarcanda and Ca’Marcanda Vistamare.

    The 2019 vintage of Ca’Marcanda’s Promis is considered an excellent vintage in Tuscany. This wine is a blend of three varieties: Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese.

    On the nose, Promis 2019 offers intense aromas of red and black fruit, such as cherry, blackberry and plum, along with notes of sweet spice and vanilla from its ageing in French oak barrels.

    On the palate, the wine is rich, powerful and structured, with firm tannins and a balanced acidity. The red and black fruit flavours are confirmed on the palate, along with notes of liquorice, tobacco and dark chocolate.

    Ca’Marcanda’s Promis is often considered a wine for keeping, one that can be cellared for several years and that improves with age. It’s recommended to serve Promis 2019 at a temperature of 16 to 18 degrees Celsius, and it pairs very well with rich meat dishes, such as roasts and game, as well as with mature cheeses.

  • Florence: A Look at Italy’s Wine-Business City? Part 2

    Florence: A Look at Italy’s Wine-Business City? Part 2

    The “buchette del vino”, or “wine windows”, are small wooden windows that were used for centuries to sell wine directly to customers in the street. These windows are often adorned with carvings and decorative designs, adding to the enchantment of the city of Florence. The “wine windows” are unique to Florence and are a symbol of the city’s wine culture.

    We’ve chosen to take you to the restaurant Babae. The place is beautiful, and the simplicity of the menu takes nothing away from the deliciousness of the dishes.

    Just want to have a glass? No problem — the wine window is there to oblige.

    Wine Window Babae

    During our visit to that temple of wine that is Florence, we absolutely insisted on systematically tasting an Italian wine — and, while we were at it, a Tuscan one! As you can imagine, that wasn’t hard.

    The owner of Babae recommended this young Grottaia. This wine is mainly made from Sangiovese grapes, a red variety typical of Tuscany, and may also contain other varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot. It gives off lovely aromas of spice and tobacco. A well-balanced tannic structure, combined with aromas of red fruit and spice, made it a perfect companion for our little midday break.

    Babae Firenze

    For the evening, we chose a restaurant right in the centre, near the famous Piazza del Duomo. The dishes are hearty and refined and, here again, it wasn’t hard to find a local wine. Agricola Toscana blows the codes apart — no doubt about it, we’re in the heart of Italy. Don’t hesitate to book through The Fork to enjoy a discount.

    This time we chose a wine di Montalcino, produced in the Montalcino area — in Tuscany, of course! It’s made from the same grape as the famous Brunello di Montalcino, Sangiovese, but it’s generally lighter and more accessible to drink young. Terre d’Elle Grazie is a well-regarded producer of Rosso di Montalcino. The wine offers aromas of fresh red fruit, floral notes and a lively acidity. Its freshness is everywhere; just close your eyes and all of Italy comes to dazzle you through the whole length. It went wonderfully with our pasta and meats.

    Florence is a real favourite; wine is a deciding factor for a tourism stay.
    Florence is one of Italy’s most emblematic and culturally rich cities. It’s famous for its history, its architecture, its art and its cuisine.

    Florence is home to Renaissance masterpieces, notably the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral, the Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery and the Palazzo Vecchio. The city is brimming with museums, art galleries, artisan boutiques and picturesque markets, such as the leather market.

    Impossible not to taste Tuscan pizzas! Let me give you a must-visit address. Head over towards the Ponte Vecchio, then push on a little further and drop by Gusta Pizza; unfortunately you can’t book a table — first come, first served — but I’m telling you, these pizzas are extraordinary!

    To round off the evening, let me share a good tip:

    The Lion’s Fountain is anchored in a stunning neighbourhood, perfect for a little pick-me-up! This lively district is ideal for spending evenings full of life while marvelling at the shops and their masterful ceilings.

  • Florence: A Look at Italy’s Wine-Business City? Part 1

    Florence: A Look at Italy’s Wine-Business City? Part 1

    Tuscany is one of Italy’s most renowned wine regions, and Florence serves as its gateway. The region is famous for producing high-quality wines, notably Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano.

    Arriving in Florence, there’s one place indispensable to the city’s culinary life: the Mercato Centrale.

    Its strategic position, close to the station — that most popular of landmarks — makes it a particularly cherished spot, both for locals and for passers-through like us.

    Don’t be put off by its rather plain exterior, designed by the architect Giuseppe Mengoni in 1874. The interior is astonishingly modern, bursting with colours, overflowing local culinary aromas and music. Since 2014, this space has been transformed into a lively food market, offering a wide range of prepared dishes, local specialities, wines, fresh pasta and other Italian delights. Visitors can sample a variety of dishes prepared on the spot.

    An exceptional wine bar sits at the back of the market, “The Wine House“, and rounds off perfectly the discovery of the Italian flavours everywhere in this market. Every code is respected to the letter! Pizza, pasta with every kind of sauce, desserts and, of course, Italian wines.

    Mercato Centrale – The Wine House
    Mercato Centrale – The Wine House
    Pizza and Wine at Mercato Centrale

    During our tastings we were able to sample some lovely wines:

    Torre delle Grazie – Rosso di Montalcino 2021

    A pretty pale, light robe; on the nose it tickles you with its hyperactive red-fruit aromas. On the palate it’s round and asserts the presence of raspberry and blackcurrant. It’s nicely balanced and enveloping through the length. Italy is everywhere in its freshness, but without aggressiveness.

    Castello Della Paneretta – Riserva 2019

    Bright, deep red to the eye, it defends with panache intense scents of blackberry and a light tobacco. On the palate it’s enveloping and of an intense red fruit; the spices that had announced their presence confirm their rank. A fairly fine length, but to my taste that’s no disaster.