Poggerino Primamateria Toscana IGT

Toscano IGT Rosso Primamateria from Fattoria Poggerino

The International from Poggerino

The Primamateria is the only wine from Poggerino that also contains a certain amount of Merlot - depending on the vintage, it is made partly from Sangiovese and partly from Merlot. No wonder, then, that Piero's main focus is clearly on the indigenous Sangiovese grape variety. The figures speak for themselves: Sangiovese grapes are grown on 11 of the 12 hectares of vineyards, with the international Merlot grape variety growing on just one hectare. Manual harvesting of the Merlot grapes usually begins in the last week of September, followed by the Sangiovese grapes in the first week of October. The two varieties are vinified separately. After the grapes have been carefully selected, they are de-stemmed and pressed. The vinification and maceration process takes place in cement tanks for 35 days. When it gets cold outside and December brings frost to Radda, the wine is matured for at least 18 months in new oak barrels with a capacity of around four hectoliters. In addition, the Primamateria IGT is aged in bottles for at least 12 months before it goes on sale. Once in the glass, Primamateria reveals its beautiful ruby red color and tickles the nose and palate with aromas of red fruits, leather, vanilla, dried fruits and spices. All in all, it is a well-structured wine that could easily stand a few more years of ageing. A small side note: "Prima Materia" is actually a Latin term from alchemy, meaning "primordial matter" - the substance from which all other matter is created. At least that much can be said about the wine of the same name: This is the stuff that wine dreams are made of...

A Tuscan fairy tale: With princes, princesses and enchanted gardens...

Once upon a time.... was a long, long time ago when the stately Poggerino estate was owned by the old noble family Prince Ginori Conti from Florence. In the 1970s, however, the time came when Contessa Floriana Conti inherited the estate from her father. Together with her "prince" Fabrizio Lanza, Floriana began to conjure up a Chianti Classico from the grapes under the Poggerino coat of arms for the first time in 1980. In 1999, however, she handed over the winery to her two children, Piero and Benedetta. And then the Tuscan fairy tale became reality - and a very successful one at that! Since the handover to the brother and sister, Piero, who is an agronomist and oenologist, has taken care of everything to do with the wine, the vineyards and winemaking. Benedetta runs the Bed & Breakfast, which is housed in an 18th century house belonging to the estate. The two are supported by John Spratt, who organizes and handles reservations and wine orders, and Stefano Cutrupi, who helps Piero in the vineyard and looks after Poggerino's gardens. And since "little brothers & sisters" have been in charge at Poggerino, both the wines and the bed & breakfast are considered fairytale insider tips among Chianti Classico lovers and Tuscany vacationers. And if they don't... but no: joie de vivre reigns at Poggerino! 

Whether from oak barrels or cement eggs: red wines to fall in love with!

To get to Fattoria Poggerino, simply follow the Strada Provinziale 72 from Radda in Chianti, which winds gently between the hills. Just a few kilometers and about a quarter of an hour later, you will reach the entrance to the winery. What at first glance seems almost inconspicuous, turns out on closer inspection to be a true paradise for wine lovers - and here especially for lovers of Sangiovese. When it comes to the choice of grape varieties, Piero clearly favors Sangiovese. Sangiovese grows on 11 of the 12 hectares of vineyards, Merlot on just one hectare. As a result, the range is very Sangiovese-heavy, but nevertheless varied. First and foremost, of course, there is the Chianti Classico and the Chianti Classico Riserva with the nickname Bugialla - both 100 percent Sangiovese. The second Chianti Classico in the range - the (N)Uovo - is certainly a specialty. It is special in that this wine does not mature in barrels, but in an oversized cement egg with a capacity of around 650 liters. And then there is Il Labirinto Toscana Rosso, the easy-drinking house wine. (N)Uovo and Labirinto are also "solo Sangiovese", by the way. The only Poggerino wine for which grapes from the international Merlot grape variety are used is the Primamateria - the Supertuscan in the range. The range also includes the Rosato Aurora, a 100% Sangiovese spumante and an extra virgin olive oil. And by the way, everything is organic, of course. This is a major concern for Piero.

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

Piero e Benedetta Lanza

Piero Lanza

12 ha, of which 7.5 ha are classified as Chianti Classico

Galestro, clay

South or south-east orientation

400 - 450 meters above sea level.

5,000 vines per ha

Cordon