Toscana Wine - En

Cuvée 1821 represents the symbol of a success story founded in 1821, it depicts the contemporary attitude of quality drinking. Cuvée 1821 is a combination of different souls: here the human touch meets cutting edge technology and the sensitivity of the winemaker finds virtue in precision. In this Cuvée, creativity becomes a concrete reality.

An excellent aperitif, it can also be served throughout the meal – including dessert – as long as the dishes are not too strongly flavored.

The bouquet is attractively intense; very fruity and aromatic, with hints of wisteria flowers and Rennet apples. The flavour is very well-balanced and appealing, with the extremely delicate almond note that is typical of Glera grapes.

GRAPES

100% Nerello Mascalese

VINIFICATION

The must is obtained by gently pressing a blend of premium Italian grapes. The grapes are stored at precisely 64.4°F and without skins. As a result of a lack of skins, the wine produced is delicate strawberry blonde in color. It is then transferred into pressurized stainless steel tanks, where the secondary fermentation takes place. During this stage the wine develops its signature bubbles, following the traditional Charmat method.

COLOR

Luminous, blushcolor with a seductively delicate perlage

BOUQUET

Pleasant, intense, and fruity; evokes memories of wisteria flowers and Renetta apples

PALATE

Well blended and delightfully pleasing; soft and smooth on the palate with floral notes and a hint of almond

FOOD PAIRINGS

Excellent as an aperitif and an ideal accompaniment to hors d'oeuvres, risotto, fried zucchini flowers, and grilled fish

Valpolicella, Veneto

GRAPES

60% Corvina, 35% Rondinella, and 5% Molinara

VINIFICATION

Once harvested, the grapes are semi-dried on wooden racks and stored in well-ventilated rooms for approximately 120 days. Following vinification, the must is macerated on the skins for seven to eight days at a low temperature. After an arduous fermentation process, lasting four to six weeks, the wine is set to age in 792-gallon Slavonian, oak barrels for two years, then an additional six months in the bottle before being released.

COLOR

Garnet with brilliant ruby reflections

BOUQUET

Full, ample, and elegant; hints of wild berries, prune, chocolate, violet, licorice, and sweet tobacco scent

PALATE

A velvety full-flavored wine: extremely rich, mouth filling, and persistent on the palate; shows cranberry, leather, cloves, round tannins, and sweet spices

FOOD PAIRINGS

Ossobuco, braised veal shanks with polenta or cheeses like Parmigiano Reggiano, Pecorino, Gouda or blue cheeses like Gorgonzola, Stilton or Roquefort.

 Greco di Tufo is an Italian white grape variety and DOCG region. The grape is most revered in the eponymous Greco di Tufo Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG), one of four DOCG areas located in Campania. The Campania region boasts more DOCG zones than any other southern Italian region, and Greco di Tufo is considered one of the best white wine appellations of the region, alongside Fiano di Avellino DOCG.

Greco di Tufo is a clone of Greco Bianco. It ripens late, enjoying the Mediterranean climate and long, warm growing season of Southern Italy.

Greco di Tufo is named after the tiny town of Tufo in Avellino, Campania. The name Tufo is derived from “tuff;” the soft, volcanic rock that makes up the subsoil of the region. This distinctive soil is thought to impart a particular minerality to the wine flavor profile.

Greco di Tufo wines tend to show a dark lemon or gold color, darker than many white wines. Though not overly aromatic, Greco di Tufo wines are known to show characteristics of spice, herb and citrus. On the palate, the wines are medium- to full-bodied and relatively high in acidity.

Flavors will range from citrus, white fruit and stone fruit, and top examples will have a distinctive mineral character. Poor examples can be overly bitter or tart, though quality producers will strive for balance and ensure that this aspect is not overpowering. The wines drink well when young, though quality examples are capable of aging. Over time, mature Greco di Tufo will develop more herbal flavors.

DOCG regulations stipulate that Greco di Tufo must be made with at least 85% of the Greco grape, with up to 15% of other approved varieties allowed in the blend. Most often, the other variety used is Coda di Volpe, another Campanian variety.

Outside of Campania, the Greco bianco grape can be found in Puglia, Lazio and Tuscany. Greco di Tufo should not be confused with Greco di Bianco DOC, a distinct Calabrian appellation for sweet wines produced from partially dried grapes. The term Greco Nero, used to refer to at least five distinct Calabrian red grape varieties, is also unrelated.

For a far-reaching database of the best Greco wines and related articles, use our Buying Guide database below! At Wine Enthusiast Magazine, we make it easy to find information that helps improve both wine collection and tasting experience.