Querciabella - Chianti Classico Riserva - DOCG

Querciabella was founded in 1974 by Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni, an accomplished industrial designer and creator of a multinational business network who also had a love for fine wine. His passion for great winemaking combined with his uncompromising vision has meant that Querciabella has quickly established itself as one of the leading wineries in Italy, earning acclaim of the world’s most discriminating critics.

Querciabella has vineyards located throughout Tuscany’s Chianti Classico and Meremma regions. Sebastiano’s strong commitment to the environment inspired him to convert the winery to biodynamics in 2000, and all of the wines are 100% vegan. Indeed Querciabella has one of the largest biodynamic vineyard holdings in all of Italy. The full range consists of seven different wines, reflecting the diversity of Tuscan terroir.

Interview with Manfred Ing, Winemaker

What would you say have been the most important moments in the history of Querciabella?

Founded in 1974 by avid wine collector Giuseppe ‘Pepito’ Castiglioni, at the beginning of what can be considered the ‘Supertuscan revolution’, Querciabella quickly rose to prominence with its elegant and beautifully crafted wines. Camartina (first vintage 1981) is still considered one of the benchmark supertuscans, while our Batàr is deemed by many to be the first and still the definitive ‘white supertuscan’. Under the stewardship of Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni, Pepito’s son, it was one of the first wineries to become fully organic in 1988 and became biodynamic in 2000, well before this practice became fashionable. In 1995, Querciabella purchased 32 hectares in Tuscan Maremma, in addition to those owned in Chianti Classico.

How would you describe the 2014 vintage in Tuscany?

Given the challenges of the ’14 vintage, it was patience and experience that allowed our fruit to fully benefit from the perfect ripening conditions at the end of September right through until the middle of October. While most were picking, we waited and those few weeks turned out to be the difference between average and excellent quality fruit. This has resulted in some terrific wines with a fine balance of fruit depth, tension and finesse (Manfred Ing, winemaker, about the 2014 vintage).

Chianti Classico is a wine appellation located in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. The region has a rich history dating back to the Etruscan era, and it is known for producing some of the finest wines in the world. The Chianti Classico appellation covers an area of approximately 70,000 hectares, and it is home to over 15,000 hectares of vineyards.

The style of production in Chianti Classico is traditional, with a focus on producing high-quality wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region. The grapes grown in Chianti Classico are primarily Sangiovese, which is the dominant grape variety in the region. Other grape varieties that are grown in the region include Canaiolo, Colorino, and Malvasia Nera.

The typical wines produced in Chianti Classico are red wines that are known for their elegance, complexity, and balance. The wines are characterized by their bright acidity, firm tannins, and intense fruit flavors. The wines are aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 12 months, which gives them a rich, complex flavor profile.

Chianti Classico is divided into several sub-zones, each with its own unique characteristics. The sub-zones include Castellina, Gaiole, Greve, and Radda. Each sub-zone has its own distinct terroir, which is reflected in the wines produced there.

The history of Chianti Classico dates back to the 13th century when the region was first recognized for its wine production. The region was officially recognized as a wine appellation in 1716, making it one of the oldest wine appellations in the world. Over the years, the region has undergone significant changes, including the introduction of new grape varieties and modern winemaking techniques.

Today, Chianti Classico is known for producing some of the finest wines in the world. The region has a reputation for producing wines that are elegant, complex, and balanced, and it is a favorite among wine enthusiasts around the world. Whether you are a seasoned wine connoisseur or a novice wine drinker, Chianti Classico is a region that should not be missed.