Casaloste Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG

Casaloste Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG

A red specialty from the best grapes

Only the best grapes are used for Casaloste's Chianti Classico Riserva. To be precise, 95 percent is the indigenous Sangiovese grape variety, which is rounded off with a five percent blend of Merlot and other grapes. After being carefully harvested by hand, the grapes are placed in small steel tanks for vinification at a controlled temperature. The fermentation process continues for up to 14 months in French oak barrels. This is followed by five months of bottle ageing before the Riserva is ready to be enjoyed. The result is a deep ruby red in the glass that evokes memories of a basket full of red forest berries and oak bark on the nose. On the palate: a perfect balance of tannins and acidity. And one thing can be said with a clear conscience at this point: this wine will get better and better with every additional month it is given in the bottle. In other words: perhaps you should think about having a bottle or two of Riserva in reserve...

Fattoria Casaloste: A wine gem in Panzano in Chianti

When you turn into the gently winding path, lined on both sides by a small stone wall, which branches off from the main road towards Casaloste, you have no idea what a small but fine wine jewel awaits you here in the middle of the hills of Panzano in Chianti. Giovanni Battista d'Orsi is the owner of this winery, which describes itself with the motto "La piccola fattoria dei grandi vini" - in other words, the small winery of great wines. Together with his wife Emilia, the trained agronomist and oenologist runs Fattoria Casaloste. They are originally from Naples, but discovered Casaloste during a visit to Chianti Classico and fell head over heels in love with this little corner of the world. Long story short: they bought the vineyard, moved to Panzano and immediately put all their passion into making wine. Casaloste owns a total of 19 hectares of land, of which around 10.5 hectares are planted with vines and two hectares with olive trees. The result: around 60,000 bottles of wine are produced here every year.

Red wines with personality and greatness

Red wine, red wine and more red wine... that is the motto of Fattoria Casaloste. In addition to the perennial favorite, the Chianti Classico, there are wines from organic production that achieve excellent ratings in international wine rankings. For example, the Chianti Classico Riserva, which is made from 95 percent Sangiovese and five percent Merlot and other varieties, makes the hearts of wine lovers beat faster. Casaloste also produces two different Gran Selezione wines - both 100% Sangiovese: On the one hand, the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione "Don Vincenzo", for which the grapes come from a single vineyard, and the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione "Casaloste", which is made from grapes from different vineyards. The name of the Inversus Toscana IGT says it all: here the ratio of grapes is the exact opposite of the Chianti Classico. 90 percent Merlot and ten percent Sangiovese are used. And what should not be missing from a real Tuscan meal alongside the red wine is a first-class olive oil, for example the cold-pressed Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva from Casaloste.

"Bella Napoli" meets "bella Toscana"

Even though Emilia and Giovanni are now fully connected to Panzano, you can feel and see their origins in Naples at Casaloste. For example, Vesuvius or the stylized Gulf of Naples can be seen on some wine labels and the typical Neapolitan flair can also be felt at the winery: for example, San Gennaro, the patron saint of the city of Naples, has a permanent place at Casaloste. Thank God, you could say - Emilia and Giovanni are convinced that the patron saint of Naples also holds his protective hand over Panzano: In other words, even when it rains and hails all around - thanks to San Gennaro, the sun shines from the sky in Panzano. Or to give another example of the connection with the Neapolitan roots: Don Vinzenco, the name of the Gran Selezione, was Giovanni's father. The hospitality with which you are welcomed at Casaloste is also typical of Naples: Two small, lovingly furnished apartments and a pool surrounded by olive trees invite guests to spend their vacation at Casaloste in Panzano in Chianti.

In Italy, in the region Tuscany, in the region Chianti Classico, in Greve in Chianti

Giovanni Battista d'Orsi

Giovanni Battista d'Orsi

19 ha of which 10.5 ha are classified as Chianti Classico

Sandstone, clay

Southeast, Southwest

360 meters above sea level.

Cordon