“Flaccianello della Pieve” Colli Toscana Centrale IGT 2020 – Fontodi

The grapes to produce the Flaccianello della Pieve Colli Toscana Centrale IGT Fontodi were carried to the winery and carefully selected on sorting tables. Fermentation and maceration lasted for two weeks in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. The cap was punched down twice a day during fermentation, which reached a maximum temperature of 30ºC. The wine was then racked into 80% new French oak barriques for 18 months before being blended and moved to a mixture of large oak casks for another six months prior to bottling.

The Fontodi estate has 90 hectares of vineyards, all of which are farmed organically and found in the Conca d’Oro, an amphitheatre-shaped valley to the south of Panzano. This shape facilitates the full ripening of the grapes. Flaccianello is made from a selection of the best grapes from the best parts of the Fontodi vineyards, located on the top of a hill at 480 metres of altitude. The soil here is classic ‘galestro’, the schistous clay on which the Sangiovese grape produces its best results.

Fontodi winery is run by the Manetti family since 1968 but has been in Chianti for centuries. Though they have always made wine, their primary business is still the production of Chianti’s finest terracotta at their factory in Ferrone. Giovanni Manetti has run the property since 1980 and ensures the wines are as meticulously made as the vineyards are immaculately tended. Their 99 hectares of vineyard, 95% of which are Sangiovese, are situated in the prime ‘Conca d’Oro’ (golden shell) of Panzano, and have been converted to organic viticulture. Giovanni is now following biodynamic principles to obtain the best quality fruit.