Friday, September 12, 2025

Invitation: Tuscany Wine Tasting (Brunello di Montalcino, Rosso di Montepulciano, Chianti Classico, Super Tuscan IGT, Vernaccia di San Gimignano) at the Washington Wine and Cheese Seminar, Washington DC, Tuesday September 16th at 7:45 pm, led by Annette Schiller









Pictures:  Wine Country Italy - Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige - in the Summer of 2025x

Dear wine friends,

I invite you to join me next Tuesday, September 16th at 7.45 pm when we do a tour through the Tuscan vineyards.

Tuscany is located in Central Italy very roughly between Bologna and Rome and borders the Tyrrhenian Sea to the West with Florence as its most prestigious city. Tuscany is an absolutely beautiful landscape of rolling hills and incredible views. Most vineyards are on relatively steep and abrupt hillsides. The hilly Tuscan vineyards are usually interspersed with Olive groves, and forests. Most wine estates are fairly distant from the main roads. The often very long winding and up and down access roads to the wineries are mostly dirt roads with potholes. We were visiting many wineries in Tuscany this summer and the effort getting there was always absolutely worth the effort. We had fantastic wines across the board. However, at the end of our trip our car looked as if we had done a rally through the Sahara.

The region has about 200,000 acres of vineyards of which 75,000 are classified as DOC or DOCG. Tuscany is Italy`s most important wine region in terms of the combination of quality and diversity. The traditional wines in Tuscany are made from the Sangiovese grape but you find a range of styles from the lively freshness of a Sangiovese from Chianti Classico to the more rigid Sangiovese in Brunello di Montalcino. The late 1960s saw the birth of the Super Tuscan movement. At this time it was completely illegal to incorporate a Bordeaux variety into a Chianti Classico even if it improved the blend. But times have moved on and these wines were brought into the regulatory fold of Italy’s appellation system: the Toscana IGT (Protected Geographic Indication). There is no vineyard classification system until now but more and more vintners are talking about special plots they call “Crus” when talking about their top wines.Tuscany also produces delicious white wines from the Vermentino and Vernaccia grapes.

We will taste 5 different wines covering the most important areas including a Brunello di Montalcino which already has some age. 

2024, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Poggio Alloro, DOCG                     

2022 Borgo Scopeto, Chianti Classico DOC

2022 Tenuta di Gracciano Della Seta, Rosso di Montepulciano, DOC

2021 Tolaini, Al Passo di Toscana, IGT

2019 Donna Olga, Brunello di Montalcino, DOC

We will have two Italian cheeses: a Pecorino Toscano and a Tallegio and of course delicious baguette from Calvert & Woodley to accompany these wines. This is a 35 $ class.

Please join me for this interesting tasting adventure. 

Looking forward to seeing you next Tuesday.
 
Annette
 
WHERE & WHEN WE MEET: The Seminar meets at 7:45 PM every Tuesday (except for July, August and the weeks of December 25th and January 1st) at St. Patricks Episcopal Church at 4700 Whitehaven Pky, between Foxhall Road and MacArthur Blvd. 

No reservations are required. You just show up (with US$35).
 

 
Pictures: Tasting at the Washingon Wine and Cheese Seminar with Annette Schiller
 
Wine Country Italy - Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige - in the Summer of 2025
 
From June 16 to July 3, 2025, Annette and I spent time in wine country Italy, by car.
 
For an overview, go to:  Wine Country Italy - Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige - in the Summer of 2025

Second Stop: Bolgheri (Tuscany)

This was an organized group tour, led by wine journalist Giuseppe Lauria. 

Relais di Biserno

We stayed 4 nights at Relais di Biserno, which is part of Tenuta di Biserno.







Day 1 in Bolgheri

We drove from Lake Como du Bolgheri, checked in, relaxed at the pool and had dinner at La Tana del Pirata in Marina di Castagneto Carducci.

Dinner at La Tana del Pirata in Marina di Castagneto Carducci





Day 2 in Bolgheri

Breakfast at Relais di Biserno



Tenuta Argentiera

The flagship Argentiera Bolgheri Superiore is a blend typically of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with a small portion of Cabernet Franc. 

Ventaglio wine-searcher average price: Euro 315 

Winery tour and tasting. 









 
Lunch

Osteria Magona

Michelin:  Amidst vineyards and the renowned cypress avenue, Osteria Magona is a must-visit for meat enthusiasts and Tuscan regional cuisine aficionados. Impeccable are the famous soups, from ribollita to pappa al pomodoro, alongside gnudi and fresh pastas. The wine list offers ample room to various Bolgheri labels.







We run into Marco Balsimelli, the new Production Director of Ornellaia and Masseto, following the departure of Axel Heinz. 



La Macchiole

La Macchiole was founded in 1983 by a young couple, Eugenio Campolmi and Cinzia Merli. They released their first vintage in 1987, with the first release of the flagship Paleo released in 1989.

At the time, Paleo was a Bordeaux blend, but in the 1990s, La Macchiole began to move toward making varietal wines. Campolmi passed away in 2002, and the estate has been run by Merli since.

Vineyard tour, cellar tour and tasting. 








Tenuta del Nicchio: Il Nicchio and Lodovico
 
We went for dinner to Locanda dell' Aioncino, close to the Relais di Beserno. Preceding dinner was a tour of the Lodovico vineyard of Tenuta del Nicchio with Michela of Tenuta del Nicchio. At the dinner table we then tasted with Michela the two flagship wines of Tenuta del Nicchio, the latest project of Lodovico Antinori and his daughter Sophia, the 2021 Lodovico (Euro 500) and the 2021 Il Nicchio (Euro 280). 

Lodovico Vineyard
 


 
Tasting 2021 Lodovico (Euro 500) and the 2021 Il Nicchio (Euro 280) at Locanda dell' Aioncino with Michela of Tenuta del Nicchio
 




Dinner at Locanda dell' Aioncino
 








 
Day 3 in Bolgheri 
 
Tasting the Wines of Tenuta di Biserno at Relais di Biserno
 






Tenuta San Guido 

Tenuta San Guido is much better known by the name of its most famous wine – Sassicaia. It is located in the Tuscan region of Maremma, and is has its own single-estate DOC appellation (Bolgheri Sassicaia) applied to its flagship label.

Sassicaia, one of the original Super Tuscan wines, is made up of Cabernet Sauvignon with a small amount of Cabernet Franc. It is known for its supple texture, elegance and perfume. 


   
  






Lunch at Enoteca San Guido
 









Ornellaia

Ornellaia is one of the foremost producers in the Bolgheri appellation on the coast of Tuscany. It is particularly known for making one of Italy's most famous and expensive wines, which shares the same name.

This Bordeaux-style blend is one of the original Super Tuscans. It is made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

The company was founded in 1981 by Marchese Lodovico Antinori, with the first vintage in 1985. From 2002 to 2005 the estate was co-owned by Robert Mondavi and Marchesi De Frescobaldi but, since 2005 Frescobaldi has owned it outright, along with the now separate estate Masseto.  

Vineyard tour, cellar tour and tasting. 












 
Dinner at La Pinetta (1 Star Michelin)
 
Michelin: By car you drive through a pine wood and practically reach the water's edge, facing a horizon of beach, sea and waves, to the left you’ll notice a small low house that almost looks like an ordinary beach establishment: actually, it is the historical fish restaurant of the Zazzeri family, Daniele in the kitchen and Andrea in the dining room. Always true to themselves, without any need to look for sudden modern changes of direction, the simplicity of the cuisine, which matches the vintage style of the rooms, is their absolute direction, both in the pairings and in the ultra-classic cooking techniques; as long as the quality of the fish (mostly local) and the comforting quality of the end result remain unchanged, it will always be a pleasure to recommend this place above the fashions.










Day 4 in Bolgheri
 
Grattamacco 
 

 
 







Lunch at La Tana del Pirata in Marina di Castagneto Carducci










7- course Dinner on a Long Table in the Streets of Bolgheri
























Third Stop: Chianti Classico
 
We spent 4 days in the Chianti Classico Region.
 

 
Day 1 in Chianti Classico
 
We drove from Bolgheri to Chianti Classico. 
 
Villa de' Ricci Rignana/ Fattoria di Rignana
 
We stayed 3 nights at Villa de' Ricci Rignana/ Fattoria di Rignana, close to Greve and Panzano, which used to be one unit but was devided recently due to family issues.
 
This place is truly a paradise. Tucked away from towns, it’s a little escape in the rolling hills. The whole villa is very clean and welcoming. And there is a tasty restaurant on the property so you don’t have to leave! (Trip Advisor) 
 








La Cantinetta di Rignana Ristaurante

La Cantinetta di Rignana Ristaurante is part of the Rignana complex. It is a wonderful restaurant with a breathtaking view. We had dinner twice there (and would have had dinner three times there, but they close on Tuesdays).







Day 2 in Chianti Classico 

Greve 








Badia a Coltibuono
 






Barone Ricasoli
 






Villa de' Ricci Rignana/ Fattoria di Rignana
 




La Cantinetta di Rignana Ristaurante
 








Day 3 in Chianti Classico
 
Fattoria di Rignana
 
Tasting and cellar tour with owner/ winemaker Cosimo Gericke. 
 
Nina in Chianti:  Rignana is a charming winery on the north-western edge of Panzano in Chianti, on the border with Barberino Tavarnelle. This idyllic vineyard is not only known for its breathtaking location, but also for its excellent wines. Cosimo Gericke, the current owner, took over the winery from his father at the end of the 1990s. He acquired the winery at the end of the 1960s and laid the foundations for the outstanding wines that characterize Rignana today. Cosimo continues this tradition with great passion and dedication.
 













 
Antinori nel Chianti Classico Winery

The Antinori family has been making wine since 1385, when Giovanni di Piero Antinori became a member of the Florentine Winemakers’ Guild. The cutting edge Antinori nel Chianti Classico Winery in the Tuscan heartland opened in 2012 after 7 years of construction. Using locally sourced materials, it blends into the landscape both visually and environmentally: surrounded by olive groves and oak trees, its roof covered in vineyards, the building appears as two graceful slits in the hillside; within, gravity-flow vinification and naturally cool cellars reduce energy consumption. It forms the headquarters of Marchesi Antinori. 








Isole e Olena







Fattoria Nittardi








Badia a Passignano





Dinner at Locanda di Poggio al Sole









Fourth Stop: (Brunello di) Montalcino and (Vino Nobile di) Montepulciano
 
Azienda Agricola Le Ragnaie
 
We stayed 2 nights at Azienda Agricola Le Ragnaie, a leading producer of Brunello di Montalcino, 3 or so miles away from the village of Montalcino. 
 






Day 1
 
 
Azienda Agricola Le Ragnaie
 
  





 Altesino






Argiano





Castello Banfi
 






Ristorante Sala dei Grappoli and Chef Dominico Francone (1 Star Michelin)
 




Pieve di Santa Restituta (Angelo Gaja)






Dinner in Montalcino at La Sosta Bistrot and Wine Bar
 










Day 2
 
 
Montepulciano
 




 
Cantine Conducci in the Center of the Village of Montepulciano
 






Poderi Boscarelli
 
Poderi Boscarelli is owned and managed by the De Ferrari Corradi family. The winery was founded in 1962 by Egidio Corradi, and his daughter Paola De Ferrari Corradi and her husband Ippolito De Ferrari significantly expanded the business. Today, Paola and her sons, Luca and Nicolò De Ferrari, continue the family legacy. 
 
Our host was Luca De Ferrari, who showed us around. 
 










Poliziano
 


 




 
Dinner in Montalcino at Teverna Grappolo Blu (Bib Gourmand Michelin)
 
Michelin: Accessed via a steep, narrow flight of steps, this restaurant boasts a traditional and friendly ambience. The cuisine is traditionally Tuscan (pici pasta with ragu and tripe are among the most popular dishes on the menu), while the interesting wine list includes a selection of Brunello wines arranged by year, as well as some top-quality vintage options which will delight wine-enthusiasts. The owner oversees the informal yet attentive service.  












Postings

Wine Country Italy - Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige - in the Summer of 2025  

Lake Como 

At Villa Almana in Cernobbio at Lake Como - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025 

Bolgheri 

Dinner at La Tana del Pirata in Marina di Castagneto Carducci, Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Winery Tour and Tasting at Tenuta Argentiera, Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Florentine Steak - Dario Cecchini Selection - for Lunch at Osteria Magona in Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Running into Marco Balsimelli, Production Director, Ornellaia and Masseto, at Osteria Magona, Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at La Macchiole, Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Visiting Vigna Lodovico and Tasting Lodovico Antinori's Cult Wines Lodovico and Il Nicchio with his Assistant at Locanda dell' Aioncino - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025 

Dinner at Locanda dell' Aioncino, Bibbona, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Tasting the Wines of Tenuta di Biserno and Staying at Relais di Biserno, Bibbona, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Tenuta San Guido (Sassicaia): Barrel Cellar Tour and Tasting - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Bistecca alla Fiorentina for Lunch at Osteria Enoteca San Guido (Sassicaia), Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Vineyard Tour, Cellar Tour and Tasting at Ornellaia, Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Dinner at La Pineta, with Chef/ Co-owner Daniele Zazzeri, a Michelin Starred Seafood Restaurant, at Marina die Bibbona, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025 

Cellar Tour and Tasting at Grattamacco, a Benchmark Producer in Bolgheri, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025

Lunch at La Tana del Pirata in Marina di Castagneto Carducci/ Bolgheri/ Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
Bolgheri Turning into an Open Air Restaurant - "Cena in Strada" Dinner 2025: Al Fresco Dinner in the Streets of Bolgheri, Tuscany, with Hundreds of other Wine Lovers - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
Chianti Classico 
 
3 Days at Fattoria e Villa di Rignana in the Chianti Classico Region (Tuscany) - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
 
 
Returning to Badia a Coltibuono in Chianti Classico: 2025 and 2012 - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
 
 
At Isole et Olena Winery, a Major Force behind the Chianti Renaissance in the 1970s - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
At Fattoria Nittardi in Chianti Classico, Tuscany: Art and Wine - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
 
Sunset Dinner at Locanda Poggio al Sole (Hill in the Sun Inn) in Chianti Classico - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
(Brunello di) Montalcino and (Vino Nobile di) Montepulciano
 
 
 
At Argiano, one of the Oldest and most Prestigious Wineries in Montalcino - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
At Castello Banfi, a Renowned Winery and a Luxury Boutique Hotel, in Montalcino, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
A Brunello di Montalcino for Dinner in Montalcino at La Sosta Bistro Wine Bar - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
Dinner at Taverna del Grappolo Blu - Traditional Tavern, Michelin Bib Gourmand, Extensive Brunello di Montalcino Wine List - in Montalcino, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
At Cantina Contucci, a Winery Located in the Heart of Montepulciano, just off the Main Square - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
Wine Cellar and Vineyard Tour at Poderi Boscarelli, a Renowned Family-run Winery of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Tuscany, with Owner Luca de Ferrari - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
At Poliziano, a Leading Producer of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, in Montepulciano, Tuscany - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025 
 
Trentino - Alto Adige
 
3 Nights at Hotel Im Tiefenbrunn in Lana, near Merano, in Alto Adige - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
 
An Afternoon in the Mountains of Merano, Alto Adige: Pavicolo and Monte San Vigilio - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 
 
 
 
 
Toma by Lisa: Our To-go-to Wine Bar in Bolzano, Alto Adige - Wine Country Italy (Lake Como, Tuscany, Alto Adige) in 2025
 

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