2081) Did You Know Series (57): L'Eremo ("The Hermitage") Winery, Piemonte Italy; i) The Story/Legend of the "Iron Baron" (the "Hermit") ii) Montepulciano Grape variety iii) Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Wine (2008) iv) The DOC Classification:
This post continues our journey through the prominent wine growing regions/countries and their popular wines. Links to other interesting posts in this area are given at the end of this post.
i) L'Eremo" (translates as "The Hermitage"):
The Wine Estate/Winery dates back to the 600s ,when it belonged to the Ricasoli family – the famous “Iron Baron” Ricasoli - who was so offended, when a handsome young man dared to dance with his beautiful young wife, he sent her off to the village in the hills and experimented with and "invented" Chianti wine, living as a "hermit"/recluse all his life, hence the Winery got its name "L'Eremo" ("The Hermitage").
This large estate, with its woods, vineyards and olive groves, fell into disuse and has, over recent years, been carefully restored by Signor Giuseppe Losapio in the early 1970s and is now called Uggiano Wine Estate.
The vineyards spread over rolling hillsides at an altitude of 250 to 300 meters between the Tuscan villages of Montespertoli, Montelupo Fiorentino and San Casciano in Val di Pesa.
In 1976 the cellars of the winery were enlarged and relocated to San Vincenzo a Torri in proximity of the Pesa river valley, among monasteries, churches, villas and country houses which so epitomise the history of the winery and Tuscan tradition.
ii) Montepulciano Grape variety:
Montepulciano grape is one of Italy's most popular red wine grapes, which has thrived in Abruzzo since the middle of the 18th Century.
The Montepulciano wine grape is grown widely in central Italy, most notably its eastern Abruzzo, Marche and Molise regions. It should not be confused with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a Tuscan wine made from Sangiovese and other grapes.
At the turn of the new century, Montepulciano was Italy's second most planted red wine variety, marginally ahead of Barbera.
Its popularity is to both - the approachable style of the wines it produces, and the reliably high yields in the vineyard.
Montepulciano wines are globally appreciated for their soft flavors and strong color pigments. Gentle tannins and a low acidity create a medium bodied wine that is typically best consumed soon after bottling.
Montepulciano is produced in all four provinces of Abruzzo - L'Aquila, Chieti, Pescara and Teramo - with the southern fertile province of Chieti producing the largest total quantity of wine.
In the countryside of Atri, which produced a wine called Hadrianum, the first bottle of Montepulciano was labelled.
The Montepulciano grape variety is almost entirely unconnected with the Tuscan town of Montepulciano with which it shares its name. The grape was named after the town, and was once widely used there.
iii) Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Wine:
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is an Italian red wine made from the Montepulciano wine grape in the Abruzzo region of east-central Italy.
The most famous wines from the variety come from the east coast of Italy, specifically the Abruzzo region.
It is produced under the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Denominazione di Origin (DOC) title in vast volumes on the low hills around the Adriatic coast and is one of Italy's most famous wines, and can be found on wine store shelves all around the world.
This classic, well-rounded, plum-scented Italian red is made from Montepulciano grapes grown in the Abruzzo region, on Italy's Adriatic coast.
The DOC Classification:
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo was first classified as Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) in 1968 and covers a vast area of Eastern Abruzzo.
DOC Classification requires the wines to be made according to certain standards and within a specified region.
The standards usually include instructions on what grape varietals can be used, minimum aging, and minimum alcohol content.
In the late 20th and early 21st century, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo earned a reputation as one of the most widely exported DOC wines in Italy. It is typically dry with soft tannins and often consumed young.
In addition to Montepulciano grapes, up to 15% Sangiovese is permitted in the blend. Wines aged by the maker for more than two years may be labeled "Riserva".
Rajan Trikha has commented:
ReplyDelete"Hats 🎩 off to your passion👍"
Thank you, Trikha sahab. I recollected the story of the recluse "Iron Baron" (the Hermit) and about how the the Hermitage winery was established around 600 AD, after over 10 years since I came to know of it.
DeleteSantosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"🥂. Very nice."
Thank you, Khanna sahab.
DeleteAshok Borate has commented:
ReplyDelete"👌👌."
Thank you, Ashokji.
Delete