Brancaia Chianti Classico Riserva (750ml)
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Wine Type
Red Wine
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Size
750ml
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Vintage
2017
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Country
Italy
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Region
Tuscany
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Sub-Region
Chianti Classico
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Grape
Sangiovese
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Food Pairing
GamePasta DishesRoast meats
Purchased in 1981 by Swiss couple Brigitte and Bruno Widmer, the original estate sitting atop the Brancaia hill, it was initially a place for their family to visit on holiday. The 20 ha site sported a house in desperate need of renovations and 4 ha of vineyards; a well-protected plot surrounding by deep woods, free from any neighbouring vineyards that have been sprayed with chemicals.
After their Chianti Classico (1983) won a blind tasting in 1986, it wasn’t soon after that the Widmer’s bought 53 ha more, located in Radda. During that time, their famous Il Blu was produced- a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. This blend didn’t meet the requirements and/or guidelines to be classified as Chianti Classico and the Widmer family found themselves part of the Super Tuscan movement, a label eventually granted by the Italian government in 1992 known as: Toscana IGT.
Tasting Notes
This expression of Chianti Classico Riserva is fat and opulent, loaded with perfumed, juicy fruit. The wine blossoms on the palate with tons of generosity and an undeniably appealing personality. Pair with a variety of game, tomato-based pasta dishes, and your favourite roast.
Method
Made from 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot, the grapes come from Brancaia’s Castellina and Radda vineyards. The grapes were harvested between end of August and mid-September; the juice is fermented at 30-32 degrees C, in contact with the must for up to 20 days. The wine is aged for 16 months; the Sangiovese in tonneaux and the Merlot in barriques. It sees an additional 8 months before release.
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