Reported by Heather Lockwood

On Monday, October 22, 2007, at the Chelsea Club, 26 guests were treated to some wonderful wines and cheeses from Tuscany, as Guild director Antonio Mauriello continued his educational series on Italian wines. This is the 4th chapter during which all Toscana’s DOCGs were tasted. 13 wines were tasted organized in 4 flights, which featured the best from Tuscany: Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Chianti Classico, Carmignano, and the newest addition, Morellino di Scansano. Cheese included a selection of Pecorino Toscano DOP, as well as a cheese called ‘Toscano’ which is made in Canada! The word ‘Pecorino’ comes from the word ‘pecora’, which means sheep, and it is used for cheese made with sheep’s milk. To keep the evening’s theme, the bottled water was a pleasantly soft semi-sparkling spring water from Pisa (Tuscany), called
‘Uliveto’.

1st Flight

• Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Podere Canneta, 2006, DOCG, Vernaccia 100%
• Morellino di Scansano, Fattoria dei Barbi (Cinelli Colombini), 2004, DOCG from harvest 2007.
• Morellino (Sangiovese) Ciliegiolo, Alicante, Merlot
• La Doga, Tenuta Caparzo, 2004, DOCG from harvest 2007, Morellino (Sangiovese) 100%

• Chianti, Ruffino, 2000, Chianti DOCG, Sangiovese 75-100%
• Le Corti, Principe Corsini, 2000, Chianti Classico DOCG, Sangiovese, Canaiolo e Colorino
• Chianti Classico, Castello dei Rampolla, 1997, Chianti Classico DOCG
• Ducale Riserva Oro, Ruffino, 1997, Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva, 85% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Colorino

• Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Avignonesi, 2001, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese), Canaiolo Nero, Mammolino
• Asinone, Poliziano, 2003, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, 100% Prugnolo Gentile (Sangiovese)
• Carmignano, Villa Artimino, 2000, Carmignano DOCG, Sangiovese 65%, Canaiolo 15%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15%, other red grapes 5%
• Villa di Capezzana, Contini Bonacossi, 2000, Carmignano DOCG, 80% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon

• Brunello di Montalcino, Carpineto, 2001, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, 100% Brunello (Sangiovese Grosso)
• Vigna Spuntali, Tenimenti Angelini - Val di Suga, 1999, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, 100% Brunello (Sangiovese Grosso)

Watch in the coming year for the next session which will cover the rest of Toscana: DOCs and IGTs, including the gems of Bolgheri, Maremma, and the SuperTuscans. Stay tuned and book early!