Favorite Wines
The following are a few of our favorite wines. We stay away from large producers and have found the Antinori, Banfi, etc. to be less than accommodating with a really bad attitude.
On the other hand, we have provided a list of our favorite, smaller, family-run wineries with great wines and olive oils. Additionally, its truly a heart warming experience passed from generation to generation.
Our Favorite wines!
Chianti classico
This is one of our favorite every day drinking wines. You will notice a black rooster on the label. For us, if it doesn’t have a black rooster on the bottle, its not a real chianti. These chianti’s are produced under strict rules. We will pay up to $20 a bottle, but no more. Please look up the legend of the black rooster on line (Florence and Siena land dispute).
Vino Noble (Wine of Kings) from Montepulciano
Another great wine from Montepulciano area made with the Sangiovese grape. These great wines are sometimes a little more expensive then a chianti but you can find some for near $18 a bottle.
Brunello from Montalcino
This is one of our very special occasion wines. It is also made of 100% Sangiovese grapes. Strict rules require 5 years aged in wood barrels and bottles. For birthdays, New Years, etc., this is the wine we most enjoy. These wines range from $30-$50 per bottle. We always decant the bottle for at least 30 minutes before drinking and do so thru a filter. It really is a special wine! There is a difference in a good wine and we are totally spoiled.
Rosso de Montalcino
Known as the “Baby Brunello”, this is a very nice every day wine made of 100% sangiovese grapes. They should run between $14 and $20 per bottle.
Barolo and Barberesco from Piedmonte
Another special wine made from the Nebbiolo grape. These bottles range $30 to $50 or more. Barolo and Barberesco wines are also special occasion wines for us. These should also be filtered and decanted for 30 minutes or more.
Arneis
A nice mild white wine from the Piedmonte area, made from the Arneis grape, which only grows in this area. The Arneis wines range from $13 to $20 per bottle. It is actually the only white wine I drink, and I enjoy an ice cold bottle with any fresh fish.
Amerone
A very nice wine specially created in the Verona area. Again, between $30 and $40 per bottle. Decant and filter for 30 minutes or more.
Contratto
This is the first sparkling wine in Italy. It’s actually a champagne, but they are not allowed to call it champagne because of the French! Great tour in Canelli, Italy. Love the Blanc de Blanc and the pas England. If you visit make reservation and tour the underground. Every bottle has a thumb print on the bottom. It signifies that it is turned by hand. Amazing!
Brunello
There are over 200 Brunello producers in Montalcino. You can get a map on line (www.italianwinemerchants.com)
Favorite Wineries
Azienda Agricola La Fortuna
You can stay in this winery too!
Pod. La Fortuna
53024 Montalcino Italia | Phone: 39 577 848308
Email: info@tenutalafortuna.it
www.tenutalafortuna.it
Simona Stanciu is an artist, painter and is your contact for a visit or a stay in the winery. We have her brunello wine paintings in our home. We love this winery and such a wonderful experience. We always look forward to a la Fortuna Brunello on New Year’s Eve and many special occasions!
Facebook: Simona’s Art | Phone: 39 3494282968
La Fornace
Another must visit small family winery and olive oil producer. We are friends and visit every time we are in town…See you in September Fabio!
The tasting is wonderful. The wines are among my favorite. This is the other Brunello wine we open on New Year’s Eve and special occasions.
Email: info@agricola-lafornace.it
www.agricola-lafornace.it
Azienda Le Chuise
localita Pullera 228
53024 Montalcino | Phone: 055 597052
www.aziendaagricolalechiuse.it
I like their wines a lot. Each bottle is hand numbered. The tour and art work are wonderful!
Lorenzo-son
Nicolo and wife
Villa Cipressi
Phone: 0039 0577 848640
www.villacipressi.it
I like their wines and you must also stop in their little shop and have a honey and wine tasting. The bees are right outside the shop. Tell Dario that Mike and Jane say hi!
Azienda Agricola Martoccia
Luca Brunelli | Phone: 39 0577848540
Email: info@poderemartoccia.it
www.poderemartoccia.it
I remember when I first met Luca and he gave me his passionate speech that Brunello is made from the cuore (heart) and no 2 bottles are the same! I wish I video taped the speech! Another producer who knows what he is doing!
Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona
Ester was wonderful as are her wines. Very nice to sit outside with bread, olive oil and tasting her Brunello wines. She will also tell you about her relative, the Countessa who owned the neighboring town! That’s Ester autographing her Brunello for me!
Phone: 390577835616
Email: visite@ciaccipiccolomini.com
www.ciaccipiccolomini.com
Chianti Area
Fattoria La Ripa
The farm was owned by Mona Lisa’s father!
We are good friends of Sandro. Sandro knows a lot about a lot of things. Love his chianti! (Found his chianti in NY and Florida!) Also, he has a great vin santo! – “wine of the saints”. He is a little hard to find but it’s well worth the experience!
Phone: 390558072948
Email: laripa@laripa.it
lnx.laripa.it/wp/en/
Greve in Chianti
Podere Campriano
You can stay in this winery too!
Love Elena’s (the owner) chianti and we can’t get it in the USA! She will respond to an email to schedule and speaks English well! All organic and she really knows her organic. Elena will ship it to you. Try her Motso Cotto – cooked grapes and put it on salad, cheese wow! Try her cooking class; a lunch tasting; its all great! Or better yet, just stay there, do day trips and get spoiled! Send our Love!
www.poderecampriano.it
Molino di Gracie “The Graceful Windmill”
Another favorite Chianti. Just past Panzano Italy. Go into the vineyard and see St. Francis guarding their grapes. (If St. Francis is guarding the grapes, that’s serious business!). Just drop in!
Panzano in Chianti | Phone: 39 0558561010
www.ilmolinodigrace.it
La Morra
Rocche Castamagna Winery and Hotel
Via Vittorio Emanuele 8 | Phone: 39 0173509225
Love these wines, Barolo, Arneis, Nebbiolo!
This is the winery to stay in when you are in La Morra and the Barolo wine area. Alessandro is fantastic and his wines are special. I like his Barolo and his white Arneis is the only white wine I will drink. He has 4 rooms for you inside the walled off town of La Morra. Breakfast included and a free wine tasting with all his wines in the lobby. We miss you Alessandro!
Email: barrolo@rocchecostamagna.it
www.rocchecostamagna.it
Contratto
via G B Guiliani 56, 14053 Canelli, Italy
Phone: 39 0141 82 33 49
A great tour of the first sparkling wine in Italy. No, this is not Asti Spumonte. This is actually a champagne, Italy’s first champagne/sparkling wine. The bottles are hand turned with a a painted thumb print on the bottom of every bottle. Nice special occasion bottle. Love the art labels! Hard to find in the USA. You must call to schedule a tour time.
www.contratto.it
